Australian star Mitchell Marsh survived two close calls in a row on the second day of the Boxing Day Test, with a Pakistan legend slamming a double "shocker" from umpire Joel Wilson.
During the first session on Wednesday, the 32-year-old was given out in two consecutive balls on-field by Wilson, but opted to review both decisions and was successful with the third umpire.
Marsh was given out lbw the first time around, but video replays showed the West Australian had edged the ball onto his pads off the bowling of Aamer Jamal.
READ MORE: Mayor ignites interstate stink with bizarre Test crowd sledge
READ MORE: Manly's plan to pinch rival 'wonder boy' revealed
READ MORE: NRL investigating Penrith star's Instagram post
The following delivery, the ball from Jamal cut through Marsh's body and clipped his pads and landed safely in the hands of the wicketkeeper, with Wilson raising his finger again for a caught-behind dismissal.
Marsh chanced his arm once again and emerged with another victory over the experienced umpire, with replays showing a clear gap between leather and willow on the way through.
The two blunders from Wilson drew plenty of criticism from Pakistan great Wasim Akram, who questioned the decision-making.
"Joel Wilson having a shocker, in my opinion," he said.
"This was hitting outside the line, the height was in question. Everything was wrong with that decision.
"This time, he [Marsh] went for it straight away because he knew he hadn't edged it. There were two sounds, but it was pad and pad – not bat and bat.
"Joel Wilson, for some odd reason, said yes a second time. Maybe this is a quieter ground. He probably heard two sounds.
"Sometimes, I wonder if umpires can worry too much about the previous ball."
Marsh's survival didn't translate to his partner at the time in Marnus Labuschagne, who was on his way for a gritty 63 in the first session after edging to Babar Azam in the slips.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.