The second day of the ongoing fifth Ashes 2023 Test between England and Australia witnessed a controversial moment that attracted eyeballs on social media. It all happened when the veteran batter Steve Smith survived a run-out scare after being given not-out by the TV umpire Nitin Menon.
Now, the veteran England pacer Stuart Broad has come up with a statement on the ‘Steve Smith non-dismissal’ controversy. Broad revealed his chat with the on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena about the run-out.
“I honestly don't know the rules. I think there was enough grey area to give that not out. It looked like the benefit of the doubt sort of stuff, first angle I saw I thought out, and then the side angle it looked like the bails probably dislodged. Kumar said to me if it was zing bails, it would be given out, I don't understand the reasoning why,” said Stuart Broad during a press conference after the end of play on day 2.
As for the current position of the ongoing fifth Ashes 2023 Test, Australia took a minor lead of 12 runs as their first innings ended with a score of 295 runs. Earlier in the first innings, England were bowled out on the score of 283 runs.
Looked pretty close at that stage - Stuart Broad
Apart from disclosing his chat with Kumar Dharmasena, Broad also spoke about the moment when the decision was referred up to the stair for the third umpire’s review.
"I saw the initial replay and saw the bail come up, and when I looked at it the second time looked like Jonny might have knocked the bail before the ball had come. Looked pretty close at that stage, if the ball had hit at the initial stage when the bail came then think I was well out of my ground,” said Broad
Subsequently, the cricket fans came up with trolling remarks about umpire Kumar Dharmasena. Fans took to Twitter where they reacted with contrasting opinions and also felt that Kumar Dharmasena has a soft corner somewhere in his heart for England as he declared Smith ‘out’ in his umpire’s call.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Stuart broad ko sabse jyaada problem rehti hai, jab koi decision iski team ke against jaata hai
— Arjun Singh Munder 🇮🇳 (@arjun_jat20) July 29, 2023
Humesa rota rhta hai yeah
— Rohit parbat(पर्वत) (@Parbatrohit123) July 29, 2023
Dharmasena hi world cup jitya tha England walo ko. Kitne paise le rkhe h inse usne 🤔
— Ravi (@lamba_ravinder) July 29, 2023
If Kumar Dharmasena did the proper umpiring, England didn't win the World Cup
— Ash (@Ashsay_) July 29, 2023
😅😅😅
Kumar hates Australia
— Axciem (@AxciemG) July 29, 2023
are conversations between umpires and players on field to be discussed like this?
— Curioustweeter 🇮🇳 (@Curioustweeter9) July 29, 2023
He should've told you that if throw didn't hit stokes bat you would've lost the world cup too 🤡
— •Hanan Hassan (@ImHananh013) July 29, 2023
Dharmasena always biased towards England
— NIKHIL (@nikhil_nsu) July 29, 2023
Kumar dharmasena definitely go in the favour of England
— Rai Tabraiz (@TabraizRai) July 29, 2023
Kumar Dharamsena to anyway out deta ..
— Kanishk Agarwal (@kanishkdabaav27) July 29, 2023