On Wednesday, Shafali Verma was given out stumped in the second ODI between England and India women, but with no LED bails for the match, the stumping decision sparked controversy.

Shafali was on 44 when she was bamboozled by a Sophie Ecclestone delivery after stepping out. Amy Jones, lightning-quick to react, took off the bails in no time, even as Shafali did a leg split to get back into the crease.

The decision proved to be a tricky one on replays with the third umpire giving it multiple checks with little clarity as there were no lit-up bails to aid his decision-making.

Former Australia women’s cricketer Lisa Sthalekar tweeted about the incident: “This is the second time in 2 ODIs that we are making (it) harder than it needs to be for the third umpire. Be great to get bright-colored bails.”

In the previous ODI, there was indecision with another stumping decision surrounding Taniya Bhatia. The Indian wicketkeeper batter was given out stumped, yet again a close call after her foot was deemed to be in the air at the time of the stumping. Again, with no LED bails to ad the process, the third umpire was hard done by.

This is the second time in 2 ODI’s that we are making harder than it needs to be for the third umpire. Be great to get bright coloured bails pic.twitter.com/0bXAdO1jMw

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) June 30, 2021

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match awards, player interviews, analysis and much more.