Ricky Ponting joins chorus of voices questioning DRS after latest obvious failure of system at MCG
Australian Test legend Ricky Ponting has joined Tim Paine in voicing frustrations over DRS after the latest blunder saw the TV umpire fail to change a decision despite “conclusive evidence” Mitchell Santner was out.
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Ricky Ponting says TV umpire Aleem Dar should be stood down after he failed to dismiss Mitchell Santner despite replays clearly showing the New Zealand spinner gloving a ball to Travis Head.
Australian captain Tim Paine – who has already lost faith in the Decision Review System – lost a review when TV umpire Dar deemed that Mitchell Starc’s bouncer struck Santner on the arm guard.
Ponting said Santner was “100 per cent” out because his sweatband was “moving clearly on the glove”.
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Santner would’ve been on his way for a second-ball duck. The shock decision denied Starc a second wicket in three balls.
“That has been missed by the third umpire. Absolutely as plain as day,” Ponting said on Channel 7.
“If (Dar) can’t get that right then he shouldn’t be doing it. That’s a very, very obvious decision to make.
“That in my opinion is conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision.”
A frustrated Paine then engaged in a lengthy discussion with umpire Marais Erasmus, who gave Santner not-out before the Aussies sent the decision upstairs.
Technology is rendered useless when human 3rd umpiring error is as obvious as that. Interpretation of vision is one thing, but that is perplexing not to see the sweat band of the glove move #DRS #technology #AUSvNZ #Santner
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) December 28, 2019
Mark Waugh added: “That is a very poor decision by the third umpire. You can clearly see the band on the top of the glove moving after the ball brushed it.
“That type of decision is exactly why DRS is used in the game.”
While Dar’s decision appeared to be a human error, Paine took aim at the million-dollar ball tracking technology after three lbw decisions on day two left fans and players confused.
While Travis Head was lucky to be granted a life on 104, Paine (79 runs) was denied a crack at a maiden Test ton and was then furious when Ross Taylor then had his dismissal overturned on review.
“It’s disappointing and it makes me angry,” Paine said on ABC.
“I’ve got a few doubts (about the technology) – no doubt about that. I won’t go into it too far because I’ll get in trouble.
“I’m just seeing time and time again what I see to the naked eye, or watching it on television in real time, and then what it comes up as, is sometimes a little bit off the mark.
“We’re struggling a little bit with it.”
Paine appeared to be struck outside the line of off stump while James Pattinson’s shout on Taylor was rejected when ball tracker showed the delivery jumping over the stumps.
“I would’ve liked (mine) to have been outside the line,” Paine said.
“I thought from the length that it pitched, and the bloke bowling around the wicket, it’s pretty difficult to hit you in line, and hit the stumps.
“I think it pitched around 7m and still hit halfway up. Then you get one late tonight (Taylor) where the guy’s stuck on the crease, he’s hit really full and it’s going over.”
Faith in DRS is slipping around the world. English hero Ben Stokes declared that DRS was broken after his match-winning Ashes knock at Headingley this year.
Nathan Lyon appeared to trap Stokes plumb lbw, although the appeal was turned down by umpire Joel Wilson and Paine was out of reviews.
If Paine had a review left then Australia would’ve won the Test by one run, because ball tracker showed three reds.
But Stokes was certain umpire Wilson got it right and Lyon’s delivery would’ve missed the stumps.
“DRS has got that completely wrong,” Stokes said.
“It flicked my front pad first and didn’t spin. It shows how crucial it is to make sure you use your reviews.
“If they had one they would have used it and ended up winning. I still cannot believe it was three reds.”
Originally published as Ricky Ponting joins chorus of voices questioning DRS after latest obvious failure of system at MCG