Fans on social media questioned a debatable Tim Paine DRS call on day two of the Sydney Test, pointing out that the Australia captain appeared to have taken the review after the on-screen timer of 15 seconds had run out.
The incident occurred in the 40th over of India’s innings, when Ajinkya Rahane padded a Nathan Lyon delivery away to the off side. Australia’s appeal for a leg-before was turned down, but since the batsman wasn’t attempting a shot, Paine decided to take the DRS.
Television replays showed that the delivery’s trajectory would have missed the off-stump, making it ‘umpire’s call’, and the on-field umpire’s decision was retained. Soon after though, the review itself was questioned extensively on social media, as replays showed that Paine appeared to have actually completed the DRS ‘T’ sign just after the 15-second window expired.
Paine with the DRS buzzer beater… #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/mzhqSWc3V7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2021
DRS was taken after the allotted time limit by Tim Paine. pic.twitter.com/Nh8i3DHBcF
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 8, 2021
Has this happened before? An umpire having to explain his decision before the team decides on the review? Because then batsmen could do this too. Or was this another Australia exception? #IndvAus
— Gaurav Sabnis (@gauravsabnis) January 8, 2021
he missed it 😡🤬 pic.twitter.com/ZvpsmjtAwf
— Astronaut 🚀 (Modi Ka Parivar) (@TheRobustRascal) January 8, 2021
he quite clearly missed it
— Chops (@ChopsUtd) January 8, 2021
Is this privilege only for Australia? They are allowed to make a mockery of the buzzer.
— Sandy (@sandy3037) January 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/1_plate_biryani/status/1347444458225160192
@ShaneWarne Why don’t you guys in the commentary box analyze if Paine was too late to call DRS for Rahane’s no-shot offered LBW call? Or is it just that you all scrutinize the calls that go against Aussies? Like Paine CB at MCG?
— Chandresh (@youiandus) January 8, 2021
Its wasn't a buzzer beater, the buzzer beat him 🤦♂️🤦♂️
— Nestor (@nestor_212) January 8, 2021
Why it was allowed ? Another brain freeze moment ?
— 🤫 (@seapish) January 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/Kohlify/status/1347440484994584579
The DRS timer had expired before Paine signaled the T sign. But still the umpire went to the review.
I don’t think the players are allowed to ask any doubts on the appeal.
I think this is just another Aussie way cheat. #AUSvIND #AUSvINDtest— Adarsh (@TheAdarsh_) January 8, 2021
How is that DRS allowed when Paine signaled after the timer ran down?? India didnt get a review when big screen showed replay before timer went down. #AusvInd
— Wanderer (@DisDatNothin) January 8, 2021
Another video suggested that Paine had actually made a signal three seconds before the timer ran out, and made a second ‘T’ signal just after the 15-second mark. However, it wasn’t clear if the earlier signal was an actual one to the umpire. According to Appendix D ‘DRS and Third Umpire Protocol’ of ICC’s Test match playing conditions, “The request shall be made by the player making a ‘T’ sign with both forearms at head height.”
https://twitter.com/KirketVideos/status/1347440946821132289
Others pointed out that the on-screen timer might not accurately coincide with the umpire’s own 15-second time limit.
A reminder of this clause in the ICC Playing Conditions: "If the on-field umpires believe that a request has not been made within the 15 second time limit, they shall decline the request for a Player Review"
The on-field umpires matter more than the clock on the screen https://t.co/hlIpi2YeaQ
— Martin Smith (@martysmith1987) January 8, 2021
