Tim Paine, the Australia captain, survived a close run out call after the third umpire couldn’t find conclusive evidence that his bat hadn’t crossed the line in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against India. But the decision seems to have divided opinion.

With Australia at 142-5, Paine was batting alongside Cameron Green when the mix up happened. Green pushed the ball towards cover and pushed for a quick single. Though there was a slight hesitation in going for the run at first, Paine ultimately went for it.

Umesh Yadav, however, was quick to throw the ball towards the striker’s end and Pant was equally quick to dislodge the bails. Replays appeared to show that Paine’s bat was on the line but third umpire Paul Wilson adjudged it not out as he didn’t find any evidence that the bat hadn’t crossed the line in fact.

“There’s no conclusive evidence to show the bat is on the wrong side of the line, so the bat looks like it could have a bit over the line. My decision is not out,” Wilson said.

Simon Taufel, a five-time ICC umpire of the year, claimed Wilson’s contentious decision was correct. “You heard Paul (Wilson) explain it quite clearly, he was looking for conclusive evidence to show the bat on the wrong side of the line with the bail removed from the top of the stump. He couldn’t prove that the batsman was short of his line,” Taufel said as per Channel 7.

But the decision has sparked an online debate, with some feeling that Paine was lucky to have been given not out there. Even Shane Warne was of the opinion that the Australia captain should have been adjudged out.

 

Both Paine and Green were dismissed shortly after. The all-rounder fell to debutant Mohammed Siraj while Ashwin took Paine’s wicket to reduce Australia to 155-7.

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Australia v IndiaTim PaineSeries Editorial