A strange incident took place during the second T20I between Australia and West Indies at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday (February 12). The hosts were denied a second chance for failing to appeal during the final stages of the game.
The incident took place in the West Indies’ 19th innings when the match was heavily in favor of Australia. The tourists needed an improbable 53 runs in the last two overs with just 1 wicket in hand. On the third ball of the over bowled by left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, Alzarri Joseph hit the ball towards the cover region and ran for a single.
Mitchell Marsh quickly picked up the ball and threw it to the non-striker’s side, where Johnson cleared the balls. The Australian fielders, however, apparently assumed that Joseph was already inside the crease when Johnson broke the stump and decided not to appeal for a dismissal. The replay was then shown on the big screen and the Australian players began to celebrate, but their joy was interrupted by referee Gerard Abood.
The on-field referee was heard telling the television referee “There is no appeal” and stood by his decision. Marsh and his teammates were seen gathered around the referee, who was heard saying: “Stop, stop, stop… there was no appeal.”
Players were heard expressing their frustration, but it didn’t make much difference as Abood made it clear that Joseph would not be declared eliminated as there was no appeal for an elimination.
“Can we get on with the game, guys? Guys, we’re entering some really poor territory,” the referee told the players.
Speaking of rules, Law 31.3, on the timing of appeals, states: “For an appeal to be valid, it must be made before the bowler begins his preparation or, if there is no preparation, his bowling action to bowl the next ball, and before time runs out.”
Look at the incident:
No appeal = no exhaustion?
An unusual situation developed in Sunday night’s T20 international #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/PKmBVKyTyF
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 11, 2024
Australia thrashed the West Indies:
While Australia were denied elimination, they achieved an easy victory. The home team thrashed the visitors by 34 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Batting first, the hosts amassed 241/4 in the allotted 20 overs thanks to an unbeaten century from Glenn Maxwell. In response, West Indies finished with 207/9.