What's in a 'line'?

England supporters came out in numbers to bash the Brisbane ground staff with edited images of what could have been the scenario had the line been drawn straight

Controversy erupted at the Gabba in Brisbane when third umpire Chris Gaffaney ruled Moeen Ali stumped off Nathan Lyon’s bowling in what appeared to be a borderline scenario on Day 4 of the first Ashes Test between Australia and England.

More than the third umpire’s decision, the ground staff drew a lot of flak because television replays and zoomed photographed revealed there was a slight bulge in the line which also denotes the batting crease.

England supporters came out in numbers to bash the Brisbane ground staff with edited images of what could have been the scenario had the line been drawn straight.

The width of the line seems to increase as it goes across the pitch.

Mooen unlucky?#Ashes pic.twitter.com/tScPiYb9u6

— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) November 26, 2017

So Moeen was out because the person who re-painted the crease at lunch used a thicker brush! 😀 https://t.co/hKiE7Lzq1K

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) November 26, 2017

😡 pic.twitter.com/yzEK0LkEcq

— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) November 26, 2017

You see, that happens in Blighty where the lines are CORRECTLY pencil thin and Moeen bats on ... #wobblyline #whitelinefever pic.twitter.com/1xJancOPED

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) November 26, 2017

From Bodyline to Wobblyline (copyright @brydoncoverdale )

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) November 26, 2017

It all took place when Australia wicket-keeper Tim Paine whipped the bails off after Nathan Lyon drew Moeen Ali forward and beat his beat with sharp turn.

After multiple replays, third umpire Gaffaney thought there was nothing behind the line and ruled it against the batsman to hand Australia their sixth wicket.

The popping crease was not the only debatable thing about that stumping, while the side-on camera angles showed Moeen had nothing behind the line, the stump cameras showed a different picture, which also prompted former Australia captain Michael Clarke to clearly declare “I don’t agree with this, I reckon the benefit of doubt should have been given to the batsman.”

Other former cricketers including, Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan found nothing wrong in that decision.

Moeen’s dismissal was significant as England slid to 195 all out after and Australia were given a target of 170 with considerable amount of time left in the Test match.