Star Australia batter Steve Smith said that he was left surprised by South Africa’s DRS blunder against Beau Webster on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final on Wednesday, June 11 at Lord’s, London. After opting to bowl first under overcast conditions, South Africa had Australia under pressure having taken four wickets in the first session.
The Proteas had the opportunity to send half the Australian side back into the pavilion under 100 runs, but a DRS blunder cost them dearly. During the second session of the day, Kagiso Rabada bowled a sharp in-swinger which hit Webster on his pad. Since the Australia batter had his bat close to the ball, the entire South African side felt that he hit the ball and hence had a muted appeal.
The on-field umpire also wasn’t convinced and shook his head to signal not out. South Africa also didn’t opt for DRS, and much to their dismay, the replays showed that there was no inside edge and the ball would’ve gone on to hit the stumps.
After the end of the day’s play, Steve Smith revealed what transpired on the pitch during the appeal as he was at the non-striker’s end. The Australia batter said Rabada felt that Webster might’ve hit it and he was also left surprised by the Proteas’ half-hearted appeal.
“I heard it was out, is that right? Yeah – It looked pretty good to me from the other end. I don’t know what actually happened there. I know Beau was in a little bit of pain. I don’t think it actually hit his pad, I think it just hit his leg. Someone said they saw a Rabada shape to say he might have hit it. Certainly, didn’t look like that from my view, but yeah I was surprised they didn’t appeal more. I don’t think many people really went up, to be honest. Where I was, I was like, geez, that looks pretty good. But they had a chance to use a referral and didn’t,” said Smith in the press conference at the end of the day’s play.
At the time of the incident, Webster was on 8 with Australia at 94/4. The all-rounder went on to play a brilliant innings of 72 (92) with the help of 11 fours and added 79 runs for the fifth wicket with Smith to rescue his team. Australia eventually went on to score 212 in the first innings and made early inroads in South Africa’s batting late on Day 1 leaving them reeling at 43/4 at stumps.
