‘Wonderful to see’: Victorian sportsmanship praised after withdrawing appeal

A “stinker” of a call has allowed for a wonderful piece of sportsmanship from Victoria in their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

South Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk has blasted his first Sheffield Shield century, but it wasn’t without controversy over yet another catch drama.

Day two of the Sheffield Shield clash between South Australia and Victoria was just as eventful as day one with 16 wickets falling as well as the hundred from the ex-Victorian.

The BBL is back! Watch every match live with no ad breaks during play on Kayo. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

Fraser-McGurk moved states in the off-season and has already made waves, belting the world record for the fastest ever professional 50-over hundred off just 29 balls.

But the 21-year-old had yet to hit triple-figures in the Sheffield Shield — until today.

Having come to the crease with his side 4/16 in response to the Victorians’ 278 all out, Fraser-McGurk saved the day with his 101 off 106 balls.

Ably supported by 50 from Liam Scott and 51 from Ben Manenti, it brought South Australia to 252 before they were dismissed, still 26 runs short of the Victorian total.

But it could have been a very different story after Fraser-McGurk was given out on 19.

The score was 4/60 when spinner Doug Warren threw the ball wide, drawing Fraser-McGurk into a wild swing outside off-stump.

The ball went to Peter Handscomb at first slip and was clearly taken.

Fraser-McGurk wasn’t happy with the call but after a second appeared to accept the decision.

However, the replays appeared to show his bat was nowhere near the ball as it passed the bat, with the deflection seemingly coming off the gloves of Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper into the hands of Handscomb.

Fraser-McGurk clearly missed the ball. Photo: Fox Sports

The umpire had given it out. Photo: Fox Sports

“I don’t know if he hit that,” former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga said in commentary.

An unmiked voice from the back of the box appeared to call it a “shocking decision”.

But the plot thickened as Fraser-McGurk was called back to the crease.

“It’s almost like the captain’s maybe called him back?” Olonga pondered.

“Has the captain called him back? What’s going on?

“We definitely saw the finger go up to give him out.”

The commentators were still confused by the situation as it appeared that Fraser-McGurk was called back by the Victorian captain Will Sutherland.

Fans also praised Harper, who also stood his ground after the umpire’s finger went up. However, others took aim at the umpires for the decision in the first place.

Handscomb was not impressed, seemingly remonstrating with the decision after the South Australian returned to the crease before shaking his head as he returned to his position.

Handscomb had has own controversy on day one when he edged to third slip, before replays appeared to show that the ball may have been grassed.

After standing his ground and without DRS technology however, the umpires eventually sent him on his way.

Olonga said that someone in the Victorian team had “been very sporting” to get the decision overturned.

“If the Victorians have shown a bit of sportsmanship there, we ought to tip our hats to them,” Olonga said.

“In a game in which a lot of other teams would have been a lot more cutthroat and taken the wicket over the spirit of the game. If that’s what’s happened, it’s wonderful to see that happen in front of kids.”

Bizarre scenes at Adelaide Oval as Jake Fraser-McGurk is given out caught, but is allowed to keep batting moments later 😲 #SheffieldShieldpic.twitter.com/WaDPTGYkt3

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 29, 2023

The Victorians were praised for their sportsmanship. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

Jake Fraser-McGurk went on to hit his maiden Shield hundred. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

ESPN Cricinfo’s Andrew McGlashan tweeted: “It certainly hasn’t been dull at Adelaide Oval.”

South African cricket commentator Philasande Sixaba commented that it was a “stinker from the umpire”

Another fan wrote: “This is insane? What’s going on? Handscomb given out yesterday when the catch was grassed & he didn’t get recalled …”

Another fan wrote: “Magnificent stuff Victoria.”

Victoria will start day three on 1/12 with a lead of 38 runs after losing the wicket of Marcus Harris for six after being forced to face seven overs at the end of the day.

Opener Travis Dean and nightwatchman Mitchell Perry will resume.