"How a LBW can be both out and not out": Steyn questions 'umpire's call' clause on lbw reviews
Veteran bowler Dale Steyn has called for reconditioning of a key aspect of the DRS (Decision Review System) after a controversial reprieve for England opener Joe Denly in day one of the second Test against West Indies in Antigua
South Africa cricket legend and veteran bowler Dale Steyn has called for a re-check or reconditioning of a key aspect of the DRS (Decision Review System) after a controversial reprieve for England opener Joe Denly in day one of the second Test against West Indies in Antigua.
Windies speedster was denied an lbw review on Denly despite the England opener being struck on the pad in line. According to the DRS rules, ball-tracking needs to show that more than half the ball would hit the stumps in order to overturn a not out decision.
When the review was taken, the ball-tracking technology showed the ball would have smashed into leg stump but because of the 'umpire's call' clause, Denly was declared not out and the umpire's original decision of not out stood.
So that’s not out. pic.twitter.com/79hfzaHOC4
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 31, 2019
Australia veteran Shane Warne was also not too happy, tweeting the 'umpire's call' clause should be scrapped.
"I’ve said this for a while re DRS," he wrote. "If there is a review re LBW then take away the original umpires (sic) decision.
"Go through the checklist, hit in line & hitting the stumps. Then out or not out - simple. U (sic) can’t have the same delivery being out/not out depending on the umpire decision."
I’ve said this for a while re DRS. If there is a review re LBW then take away the original umpires decision. Go through the checklist, hit in line & hitting the stumps. Then out or not out - simple. U can’t have the same delivery being out/not out depending on the umpire decision
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 31, 2019
Steyn too agreed with Warne, saying he couldn't "understand how a LBW can be both out and not out depending on (the umpire's) decision".
"Surely if it's hitting the stumps, no matter what percentage, it's out?" he asked.
Nothing against umpires, but I don’t understand how a LBW can be both out and not out depending on his decision...?
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 31, 2019
Surely if it’s hitting the stumps, no matter what percentage, it’s out?