AUS vs ENG: Watch - Nitin Menon's Controversial Not-Out Decision For Steve Smith Sparks Debate; Ravichandran Ashwin Reacts

The decision made by the third umpire Nitin Menon in favor of Australian batsman Steve Smith during the 5th Test match of the Ashes 2023 at the Kennington Oval in London sparked debate on social media.

The incident happened on the third ball of the 78th over when Chris Woakes was bowling and Steve Smith was batting alongside captain Pat Cummins. The pacer delivered a back-of-a-length delivery outside off-stump and Smith played it to midwicket to go for a double.

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English fielder George Ealham quickly collected the ball and threw it to the wicket-keeper’s end where Jonny Bairstow, who was involved in a controversial run-out earlier in the series, gathered the ball and broke the stumps as Smith dived in to make the ground.

The decision was sent upstairs and on the first replay it was seen that Bairstow had dislodged the bails before collecting the ball but the bail was out of the groove on one side and at that point, Smith was short of the crease. However, as Jonny Bairstow was seen removing the bails completely, Smith was inside the crease.

The decision was a tough one to make for the third umpire Nitin Menon and he took all his time, watching frame by frame to finally make his decision in favor of Steve Smith. After the not-out decision was displayed on the big screen, the Oval crowd heavily booed the umpire.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Harry Brook Says Playing In IPL Was More Exhausting Than Playing The Ashes

Notably, England players had started celebrating after watching the first replay and Smith had started walking back, however, the batter was called back as the decision was made. Also, as Bairstow failed to pull off a run out after a throw from the substitute fielder there was no repeat of the Ricky Ponting 2005 moment.

Steve Smith made the most of the decision going in his favor and he smashed a spectacular half-century in the innings, which was also the first one for an Australian in the match.

Watch: Steve Smith survives controversial run-out chance

George Ealham ? Gary Pratt

An incredible piece of fielding but not to be… ? #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/yWcdV6ZAdH

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023

Out or Not-Out❓

A rocket throw from the substitute fielder had @stevesmith49 struggling to make his ground ?#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvAUS #RivalsForever #TheAshes #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/M3y2KIFuoj

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 28, 2023

The decision by the third umpire received mixed reactions from the Twitterverse. While Ravichandran Ashwin and former India opener Aakash Chopra applauded Menon for his decision.

Well done, Nitin Menon. Good decision. A tough decision. ?? #TheAshes

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 28, 2023

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

Not out. Correct decision made. Well done third umpire. Looked out in the first replay but went frame by frame to make the right call https://t.co/hxuHxbSjJF

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 28, 2023

Great decision to call it not-out. ? pic.twitter.com/fro0aApRfS

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) July 28, 2023

If this is not run out, cricket rules need to be changed. pic.twitter.com/GDL5FfX1Yo

— Arun (@ManUtdSZN) July 28, 2023

All these Rattled Aussie convicts tag me they are not even at the oval. Watching on biast tv i expect..

People get seriously angry when the truth hurts..

Smith was run out and they know it

— London wanderer (@Londonwanderer2) July 28, 2023

The Smith run-out was possibly the worst decision I've ever seen on home soil.

It was out.#OvalTest

— Reg Lee #Nakba #BlackLivesMatter (@RegLee7) July 28, 2023

That Smith run out stumping decision is mainly frustrating because that's not how run outs have been decided for some time. Zinger bails or not, they've counted half the bail up as broken for some time #ENGvsAUS

— Paul Huxley (@HuxTweets) July 28, 2023

How can you say that Steve Smith's run out is not out #Ashes2023

— Reigns loverr (@NArunRaj1289) July 28, 2023

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Watch – Joe Root Takes Spectacular One-Handed Catch To Dismiss Marnus Labuschagne In 5th Test