South Africa were dominating with the ball on a turning pitch bowling second in Kolkata. Having elected to bat first, South Africa were rescued from 24-4 by David Miller, who scored a sensational century to see his side post 213 for Australia to chase. While seemingly a below par score, when South Africa’s spinners came on to bowl, such was the turn they were able to find Australia’s batters struggled significantly.
Aiden Markram dismissed David Warner with his first ball into the attack, bowling a wicket maiden in the powerplay. Keshav Maharaj then castled Travis Head, also with his first ball of the innings, to leave Australia still needing 104 runs and three wickets down.
Tabraiz Shamsi came into the bowl the next over – the 16th – and bowled a wide to Labuschagne first ball, before sending down two dots and a turning ball which was hit for two. Off the next ball, Shamsi found huge turn, floating the ball down to pitch well outside off stump before it ripped back in off the surface and hit Labuschagne on the back pad.
The South Africans desperately appealed to Richard Kettleborough who kept his arm firmly down to give it not out. South Africa immediately opted for the review, which showed the ball turning back into crash into off-stump, but hitting Labuschagne’s pad marginally on umpire’s call.
The South Africa fans in the crowd and the players on the pitch were left speechless that the decision remained not out, with Labuschagne visibly relieved. However, the decision didn’t cost South Africa many runs, with Shamsi trapping him plumb this time six overs later, after he’d scored 15 more runs. This time, the umpire’s call went in South Africa’s favour.
Watch: Marnus Labuschagne survives tight lbw
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