Watch: During the third ODI between Australia and England, umpire Paul Wilson did not rule Steve Smith out caught behind until Jos Buttler appealed for the catch.

Already 2-0 up in the three-match series, Australia were cruising along during the third match as well. Travis Head (152 in 130 balls) and David Warner (106 in 102) added 269. There was a brief rain halt at 292-2, leading to a loss of two overs. England got Marcus Stoinis with the first ball after break, but Smith and Mitchell Marsh continued to make merry.

The score read 324-3 after 45.2 overs when Olly Stone (4-85) bowled at Smith. The ball was slightly short of a length on the stumps but Smith, having made up his mind, had already shuffled across. He attempted an improvised ramp-scoop, but the ball was too short for that, and the faint edge carried to Buttler behind the stumps.

Smith did not walk. Nor did Wilson rule him out. Buttler waited for a while before opting for the unconventional sequence of opting for the DRS before uttering a low “how’s that?” Wilson, unmoved until this point, ruled Smith out caught behind immediately.

Wilson’s act was in accordance with Law 31.1 (Umpire not to give batter out without an appeal): “Neither umpire shall give a batterout [sic], even though he/she may be out under the Laws, unless appealed to by a fielder.”

Smith left for a 16-ball 21, but Marsh carried on, eventually falling for a 16-ball 30. Australia finished on 355-5 in 48 overs. Chasing an adjusted target of 364, England were 13-0 after 2.1 overs.

Watch umpire Wilson’s delayed reaction here:

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