Australia’s world record ODI winning streak, which now stands at 26 games, has remained intact by the slenderest of threads after a dramatic, controversial conclusion to the second match of their series against India.

The two sides played out an enthralling contest which swung to and fro before going down to the final ball. India put up a challenging total of 274-7 on the back of Smriti Mandhana’s 86, and began their defence excellently, reducing the hosts to 52-4.

From there, Australia battled back through Beth Mooney, who would end up unbeaten on 125, and Tahlia McGrath, whose 74 was her maiden international half-century. She was dismissed having put on 126 with Mooney, but Nicola Carey provided a willing foil, and the equation narrowed.

Eventually, Australia were left needing 13 from the last over, and scampered the target down to three needed off one. Earlier in the over, Jhulan Goswami had bowled a beamer which struck Carey in the helmet, something of a prelude to the drama to follow. On the final ball, a waist-high full toss was hit by Carey into the leg-side and was caught by square leg, prompting wild India celebrations.

A lengthy no-ball check followed, with Carey having crouched as she played the shot and made contact well in front of her body, making the judgement over whether the ball would have passed above her waist in her normal batting stance a tricky one. Eventually it was adjudged that the delivery was an illegal one.

No ball? Y/N#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QP70Obgqbl

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 24, 2021

At that point, the umpires had to judge whether the delivery was dangerous, and therefore whether Goswami should be removed from the attack, and also how many runs should be awarded to the Australia total. They concluded that Goswami could continue, with the ball “away from the body” according to umpire Claire Polosak, and that only one run had been accrued, with Carey retaining strike, the batting pair having not crossed before the catch was taken.

WOW. Just WOW 😵😵‍💫😰🤯😳 what a freaking game!!! Sheesh.
Just a quick one though – doesn’t two above the waist no balls mean you’re out of the attack!? Anyways. Wow. Proud. 🇦🇺 #AUSvIND

— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) September 24, 2021

That left two runs to win, with the last ball a free hit, and after a clip to midwicket, two runs gave the Southern Stars victory.

However, not all were content with the no ball decision. Dan Brettig, chief cricket writer at The Age, wrote, “That was not a no ball. I don’t care who says so, to be frank”.

Ah. That was not a no ball. I don't care who says so, to be frank #AUSvIND

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 24, 2021

Former Australia captain Lisa Sthalekar got her ruler out to try and make sense of the situation.

Tried my best to see if the no ball call was right. Picture on the left is Carey facing up for the last ball (waist blue line) Picture on the right is point of impact. Red line shows she is bent. Question is was the ball dipping enough? Plus my lines may not be exact science 🤷🏽‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/MLq5fVfxhM

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) September 24, 2021

What’s not in doubt is that the game was one of the most exciting seen on Australian soil for quite some time.

I’ve seen a lot of ODIs in Australia, but there can’t be many games to match this for quality, drama and tension. Off the top of my head, Bevan’s last ball win v Windies, Eng v SA 1992 WC semi. Any others come to mind? #AUSvIND

PS: underarm was before my time.

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) September 24, 2021