Indian Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Friday praised Umpire Nitin Menon for his controversial decision against Australian player Steve Smith in the 5th match of the Ashes series at The Oval, England. Australia ended the second day of the fifth Ashes Test with a 12-run lead with the help of Smith’s Inning of 71 runs
In the 78th over of the innings of Australia’s Batting Steve Smith played a short in Chris Woake’s delivery towards mid-wicket and tried to steal a quick double. The 34-year-old had to dive to beat the substitute fielder George Ealham’s throw, Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow gathered the ball swiftly and took out the stumps while Smith was out of the crease. But, while the third Umpire (Nitin Menon) was checking the decision frame by frame, the bail came out of the groove a few frames after the batsman had grounded his bat inside the crease. The decision was given in the favour of the batsman as the bail was still intact and Smith was in by then.
What’s with the Ashes and substitute fielders. #ashes2023 #ashes2005 #garypratt #georgeeahlam
Have to applaud Nitin Menon for making the right decision 👏👏
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) July 28, 2023
R Ashwin Wrote on His Official X Account(Twitter):
What’s with the Ashes and substitute fielders.
#ashes2023 #ashes2005 #garypratt #georgeeahlam
Have to applaud Nitin Menon for making the right decision