‘Bizarre’ run out farce erupts as Australia crush West Indies in second T20I

Aussie stars have been left fuming over a bizarre run out debacle late in their match against the West Indies in Adelaide.

Australia has crushed the West Indies in a 34-run win in the second T20I at the Adelaide Oval but the match has ended in bizarre scenes.

With 10 balls remaining and the match already decided, Alzarri Joseph was facing Spencer Johnson, clipping him to Mitch Marsh at cover and taking off for the quick single.

Watch Australia v West Indies on Kayo Sports. Every Test, ODI and T20I Live with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

The throw from Marsh wasn’t a direct hit but it was still close — in fact it was more than close, it was out with Joseph being found well short of his ground.

But Johnson didn’t seem interested, Marsh appeared disappointed he didn’t get the direct hit and umpire Gerard Abood quickly scanned the field before saying there was “no appeal”.

When it went up on the big screen, the Aussies were happy, beginning to celebrate the wicket.

Then the Aussies began to remonstrate with the umpire when they realised he hadn’t given it out.

“Stop, stop, stop,” Abood said to the disbelieving Aussies. “There was no appeal …”

Tim David, who was fielding at deep point, cut him off, saying: “Gerard, I appealed, I promise you. This is a joke mate.”

Abood appeared to ask the third umpire if anyone appealed.

“Gerard looked at me and I appealed,” David said.

Abood wasn’t having it though.

“Can we get on with the game guys? Please?” Abood said.

It was clearly out. Photo: Fox Sports

Tim David swears he appealed. Photo: Fox Sports

The Aussies continued to debrief on the situation, loud enough for Abood to hear.

David Warner appeared to say: “It doesn’t matter, he’s backed himself to not give it out. That’s the issue. It’s umpire error. We’ve all appealed.”

The camera showed that at least the Aussies fielding inside the ring didn’t appeal.

“There was no appeal, can we get on with it guys,” Abood said.

“This is ridiculous, can we get on with the game? Guys, we’re getting into really poor territory. Get on with the game.”

Mike Hussey said he agreed with Abood.

“It’s not a good look for the young kids out there, you’ve got to accept the umpire’s decision and move on,” the Fox Cricket commentator said.

Mark Howard called them: “Bizarre scenes.”

For the rule hawks among us, appeals are covered in Law 31 of the Laws of Cricket.

31.1 states: “Neither umpire shall give a batter out, even though he/she may be out under the Laws, unless appealed to by a fielder. This shall not debar a batter who is out under any of the Laws from leaving the wicket without an appeal having been made.”

31.3 covers the timing of appeals, which says Australia may have been dudded, even though assisted by the big screen.

“For an appeal to be valid, it must be made before the bowler begins his/her run-up or, if there is no run-up, his/her bowling action to deliver the next ball, and before Time has been called.

“The call of Over does not invalidate an appeal made prior to the start of the following over, provided Time has not been called.”

Time being called relates to the end of a session of play.

Australia were dudded. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

A replay showed that when it came on the big screen, Marsh began celebrating before Johnson started his next over.

Some also questioned whether it would be right to appeal after watching on the big screen.

There is no requirement in either the MCC laws or ICC T20 international playing conditions that state an appeal cannot be made after a replay is shown on screen. As long as it is made by start of run up for next ball. #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/IU6s3IrH5U

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) February 11, 2024

Does batter appeal for wide? No.
Why should fielders appeal for run-out? Isn't it part of Umpire's job to consult 3rd umpire for any decision?#AUSvWI

— Santhosh Udupa (@udupa_tuttu) February 11, 2024

Surely for a run out it doesn’t matter if there’s no appeal.

If he’s out, he’s out? #AUSvWI

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 11, 2024

Am confused. So the umpire dint count the run out cuz there was no appeal? Tim David looked livid with the umpire. 😹

— TakeADeepBreath (@DeepTake) February 11, 2024

Oddly, didn’t see or hear Tim David appeal

You’re responsible to make sure the umpire sees or hears you #AUSvWI

— Callum #Whatever (@Bombers83) February 11, 2024

It would have seen the Windies all out for 191

While the West Indies got to 9/207 after the reprieve, it was well short after Glenn Maxwell’s 55-ball 120 not out bullied Australia to 4/241.

Maxwell blasted the fastest T20 international century in Australia and moved to the top of the leaderboard of T20I centuries, having tallied the fifth of his career as he reached the milestone in just 50 balls.

Incredibly, it’s only the fifth fastest hundred in T20Is for Australia — and Maxwell’s third fastest.

Maxy’s done it again. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Image

However, it is the fastest to have been scored in Australia.

In T20 International cricket, Australia have scored just 10 centuries — half of which Maxwell has tallied himself.

He also moves alongside India’s Rohit Sharma for the most centuries in T20I cricket, although Maxwell has done it in 93 innings, compared to Sharma’s 143 innings.

The total of 4/241 was also the fourth highest score by Australia in T20Is — and also the biggest Australia has scored at home, beating the 2/233 scored against Sri Lanka at Adelaide Oval in 2019.

The West Indies made a valiant effort in response, but regular wickets saw the side drop to 6/110.

Rovman Powell’s 36-ball 63 kept some hope alive for the visitors, but it wound up being a bridge too far as Australia wraps up the series with a match to play.

Originally published as ‘Bizarre’ run out farce erupts as Australia crush West Indies in second T20I