‘Absolute joke’: Cricket world blasts Temba Bavuma review

Even the TV umpire was left stunned after South Africa’s captain somehow survived a baffling review against Australia at Lord’s.

A successful review from South African captain Temba Bavuma left everyone completely baffled on day two of the World Test Championship final against Australia.

The pint-sized batsman made an attacking intent to the second day at Lord’s, with the Proteas resuming their innings at 4/43 in reply to Australia’s 212 all out.

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The 35-year-old hit two boundaries from one Mitchell Starc over as Bavuma and David Bedingham put on a 50-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Bavuma eventually fell for 36 to a sensational Marnus Labuschagne catch, reducing South Africa to 5/94 after a strong start to the day from the Proteas.

South Africa reached 5/121 at lunch, 91 runs behind Australia’s first dig.

But a hugely controversial moment in the 28th over ignited the cricket world, after Josh Hazlewood appeared to trap Bavuma plumb in front when he was on 17.

Josh Hazlewood had no doubt it was out. Photo: Prime Video

And Bavuma seemed totally unconvinced as he weighed up a review. Photo: Prime Video

The umpire immediately gave Bavuma out and the Aussies celebrated, with the South African’s reaction telling as he took his time and consulted with Bedingham before decided to review the decision.

Typically if a batsman knows he has hit the ball on a leg before appeal, they immediately appeal, but that wasn’t the case on Thursday.

“He takes the review,” Ian Smith said on Prime Video. “I’m not sure I like his chances.”

The review played out and when TV umpire Richard Kettleborough asked for the Ultra Edge technology, sure enough there was a small spike on the screen.

Kettleborough’s response said it all as he turned to a colleague and shrugged, as if to say ‘well there you go, I have to give this out’.

Richard Kettleborough (bottom left) reacts to the surprise spike. Photo: Prime Video

Nobody else felt Bavuma had hit the ball, seemingly including the batter himself, but he indeed earned a stunning life as his innings continued.

“Well that’s an interesting one for me, I’ve got to say,” Smith continued once the decision came through. “Because it took forever to think about reviewing it.

“When you feel as if you’ve got a touch on it you just automatically say ‘I’m sorry, I’m reviewing that because I believe my bat has made contact with the ball there’.

“There was no semblance of that in that discussion.

“That was so interesting.”

As more replays were shown, former Kiwi cricketer Smith said: “The body language though.

The South African captain looked surprised by the decision. Photo: Prime Video

Before a big sigh of relief. Photo: Prime Video

“There’s no thought at all, with his own thinking, that he’s made contact with that.

“There’s none. None at all.”

Mel Jones also discussed the moment when she took over the commentary duties.

“This was the slightly controversial one because everything aligned in terms of the LBW shout,” she said over another replay.

“Temba Bavuma’s reaction was all about ‘do we use the review, was it going to hit’.

“It didn’t feel at all like he had that inside edge.”

Those watching on quickly took to social media to voice similar sentiments.

One fired up fan wrote on X: “WTF is going on here? Clearly NO bat involved. even Bavuma knew it wasn’t edged! And still, DRS says otherwise? Absolute joke!”

No we didn't hear anything either Josh. Photo: Prime Video

Bavuma quickly set about capitalising on the second chance. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Another said: “The spike was so pronounced, yet no noise on replay apart from ball hitting pad. He knows that was a technical glitch that saved him then.”

A third declared: “There was a clear gap between bat & ball for the Bavuma LBW review, this is where the TV umpire should be allowed to overrule the technology.”

A fourth wrote simply: “But he didn’t hit it.”

Regardless of the technology fail or a mysterious feather not seen by the naked eye, Bavuma survived and was keen to get on with his reprieve as South Africa raced towards Australia’s first innings total.

In a low-scoring match, Bavuma added 19 valuable runs to his total before he finally fell, Labuschagne taking a screamer from Pat Cummins’ bowling.