Steve Smith was left perplexed by a DRS lbw decision that dismissed him in Australia’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match against South Africa. The ball-tracking animation was not shown, leading to confusion and frustration for Smith and the Australian team.
The incident occurred in the 11th over of Australia’s chase, with the team needing 285 runs to win. Smith was on 18 when he was given out lbw to Kagiso Rabada. Smith immediately reviewed the decision, but the ball-tracking animation was not shown. The third umpire, Michael Gough, upheld the on-field decision, and Smith was dismissed.
Steve Smith Reaction
Smith was visibly frustrated as he walked off the field, and he continued to shake his head in disbelief. In his post-match interview, Smith said that he was “perplexed” by the decision and that he had “no idea” why the ball-tracking animation was not shown.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Smith said. “I was really surprised that the ball-tracking animation wasn’t shown. I thought it was a really close call, and I would have liked to have seen it again. But the third umpire upheld the on-field decision, and that’s it.”
The Australian Team’s Reaction on Steve Smith wicket
The Australian team was also frustrated by the decision. Captain Aaron Finch said that he was “disappointed” that the ball-tracking animation was not shown, and that he thought it was a “missed opportunity” to get a more accurate decision.
“I’m not sure why the ball-tracking animation wasn’t shown,” Finch said. “But I’m disappointed because I thought it was a really close call. I think it’s important to have as much information as possible when making a decision like that.”
The ICC’s Response
The ICC responded to the incident by saying that the ball-tracking animation was not shown because there was a “technical issue”. The ICC also said that it was “investigating” the issue and that it would “take steps to ensure that it does not happen again”.
“We understand the frustration of Steve Smith and the Australian team,” the ICC said in a statement. “We are investigating the technical issue that prevented the ball-tracking animation from being shown, and we will take steps to ensure that it does not happen again.”
The Broader Issues Surrounding DRS
The incident involving Steve Smith has raised the broader issue of DRS and the use of technology in cricket. DRS has been a controversial topic since it was introduced in 2009, and there have been numerous calls for reform.
One of the main criticisms of DRS is that it is not always accurate. The ball-tracking technology is not perfect, and there have been numerous cases where it has given incorrect readings. Another criticism of DRS is that it is too complex and time-consuming. The process of reviewing a decision can take several minutes, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
What Can Be Done to Improve DRS?
There are a number of things that can be done to improve DRS. One possibility would be to introduce a new ball-tracking technology that is more accurate and reliable. Another possibility would be to simplify the DRS process and make it less time-consuming.
The ICC could also consider making DRS more transparent. For example, the ICC could release more information about how DRS decisions are made, and why the ball-tracking animation is not always shown.
Conclusion
The incident involving Steve Smith has highlighted the need for reform of DRS. DRS is a valuable tool, but it is not perfect. The ICC needs to take steps to improve the accuracy and reliability of DRS, and to make the process more transparent.