South Africa vs England: dismissing Anne Dirksen was ‘right decision but wrong process’
From the very second ball of the match, Marijne Kapp and South Africa were confident that they had opener Tammy Beaumont LBW with a very convincing appeal, but it was given not out and the England opening pair added 53 for the first wicket. Add runs.
Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt was batting fluently and looked set to take her team to a level in the first innings before being out LBW to Sophie Ecclestone on 65.
Wolvaardt was angry as he left the pitch, hitting his bat on his helmet and muttering that he had hit it – a reaction for which he was eventually fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
But the most controversial decision – despite having little impact on the final outcome of the match – came in South Africa’s second innings when England appealed for a catch at short leg off Dirksen and was upheld by the on-field umpires. Checked by the third umpire, like a review.
Even when there is no DRS in play, umpires are generally allowed to check with the third umpire for clean catches and bump balls, instances which they are not able to see clearly in real time. Maybe – yet in this case, the catch was taken at chest height.
“The right decision was taken in the end because it looked like there was a lead, but I think it was the wrong process,” Hartley told BBC Test Match Special.
“There was never any doubt whether it was a clean catch or not. It’s true that no one knows what the decision-making process was.
“What this has shown is that DRS is required for every international match and then we will not talk about it. This should be a warning to Cricket South Africa.”
Proteas head coach Mandla Mashimbi said the decision not to use DRS was above his “pay grade”, but he regretted the lack of communication about the “bizarre” decision that led to Dirksen’s wicket.
“There was no communication – I didn’t understand (why it was out),” Mashimbi said.
“If it’s out it’s out and if the umpire is not sure, the benefit of the doubt goes to the batsman. It was quite strange, I think the umpires felt they had made the right decision, so we didn’t go against that.” Can.”
