Since the arrival of DRS, many dubious on-field calls have been checked and the correct decision has been made using the technology.
During the UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians match, cricket fans saw one of the most hilarious and confusing incidents to take place in the history of the sport thanks to a glitch in the DRS technology.
After posting 159 for 6 in their stipulated 20 overs, UP Warriorz were under the pump as MI got off to a solid start in the powerplay. The incident took place on the 5th ball of the 5th over when Sophie Ecclestone appealed for an LBW against Hayley Matthews. The left-arm orthodox bowler felt the ball had hit Matthews on her foot before going on to hit the bat.
Umpire Pashchim Pathak turned down the appeal though. Ecclestone and captain Alyssa Healy had a brief discussion and the latter took the DRS. On the replays, it was evident that Hayley Matthews had struck the ball from the meat off the bat with the foot being a fair distance away from the ball. However, the ultra-edge technology thought otherwise.
The third umpire and everyone else could see a clear spike when the ball was close to Matthews’ left foot. Pathak was asked to reverse his decision. The West Indian captain couldn’t believe her luck. The UPW players had wry smiles on their faces as they also knew something strange had happened. Matthews wasn’t willing to leave the crease. Her opening partner, Yastika Bhatia, hilariously signaled for the DRS to check the call once again.
After all the drama, Hayley Matthews remains not-out after a DRS confusion.
📸: Jio Cinema#CricTracker #WPL2023 #HayleyMatthews pic.twitter.com/TXIVm6HrB5
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 12, 2023
Eventually, the TV umpire once again checked the footage. He noticed that the sound and spike was off the bat hitting the pad and not the ball hitting the foot. Pathak was asked to stay with his original decision of not out. The right call was made in the end.
You can watch the video by clicking here.
MI continue their winning run in WPL 2023
MI went on to chase down the target set by UPW in 17.3 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Yastika Bhatia scored a fluent 27-ball 42 at the top while Nat Schiver-Brunt (45 off 31) and Harmanpreet Kaur (53 off 33) took MI across the line.
Harmanpreet was awarded Player of the Match for scoring her second fifty of the season. MI are now in pole position in the table with 4 wins from as many matches.
