‘Totally unacceptable’: Australia robbed by five-ball over in T20 World Cup clash

If you thought Australia’s T20 World Cup innings went slightly quicker than usual on Friday evening, you were absolutely correct.

If you thought Australia’s innings went slightly quicker than usual on Friday evening, you were correct.

The hosts only faced 119 deliveries in its must-win T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan at Adelaide Oval due to an umpiring error during the Powerplay.

The fourth over, delivered by Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq, wrapped up in just five balls, with the umpires prematurely switching ends.

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On the fourth ball of the over, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh slapped a slower delivery into vacant space at long on — he and veteran opener David Warner scampered through for two before sprinting back for a third following an overthrow.

However, instead of a “3” appearing on the broadcast graphics, a “2” popped up alongside an additional “3” in the fifth ball.

Naveen-ul-Haq’s fifth delivery was a dot ball, and the over was called — none of the players seemingly noticed.

Australia’s score was later rectified on the broadcast graphics, but the reigning champions never got that delivery back.

Five-ball overs are common in village cricket but a rarity on the international stage — particularly in a World Cup — and the blunder didn’t go unnoticed.

Just had a re-watch, this is bizarre.

Ball 3.4 the one in question.

Aussies took 2 then got another on the overthrow.

Was put down as two runs off 3.4 and three runs off 3.5.

Only five deliveries in the over. Very weird. #T20WorldCuphttps://t.co/3oCdzzwix4

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) November 4, 2022

It feels a bit odd that the five-ball over hasn't been mentioned once on the broadcast.

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) November 4, 2022

How is it possible there can be a five-ball over in international cricket? Totally unacceptable. The only thing fair from here is Afghanistan also only gets five balls in its fourth over. #T20WorldCup

— Adam White (@White_Adam) November 4, 2022

The umpiring mistake thankfully didn’t impact the final outcome, with Australia claiming a four-run victory over Afghanistan to keep its T20 World Cup dream alive — at least for another 24 hours.

If Sri Lanka defeats England at the SCG on Saturday evening, they’re through to the semi-finals. If England wins, their tournament is over.

Australia finds itself in such a precarious situation because of its woeful net run rate, which took a battering after last month’s massive loss to New Zealand.

Despite recording comfortable wins over Sri Lanka and Ireland, their net run rate never truly recovered, currently sitting at -0.173.

“We put ourselves in that situation, been trying to chase a bit of run rate but it hasn’t gone our way,” Australian captain Matthew Wade said during the post-match presentation.

“We were a bit slow out of the blocks this tournament, hopefully it doesn’t cost us.”