ENG vs AUS: Kumar Dharmasena Said To Me Steve Smith 'Would Have Been Given Out' If It... - Stuart Broad

England pacer Stuart Broad said that on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena told him that Steve Smith was out if it was zing bails. Steve Smith had a remarkable escape during a run-out during the AUS vs ENG 5th Test in Kennington Oval.

At 42, Steve Smith almost lost his wicket through a run-out. Substitute fielder George Ealham threw the ball to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow well in time. Even Jonny Bairstow was convinced that he managed to run out the right-handed batsman.

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However, replays later showed that Smith was inside the crease till the time Bairstow managed to dislodge the bails. It was a very close call. Bairstow managed to dislodge the stumps with his gloves. However, till the time bails were dislodged, Smith was inside the crease. As a result, it was given not-out by the third umpire.

Umpire Told Me Steve Smith Was Out If It Was Zing Bails- Stuart Broad

Speaking about the moment after Day 2 play, England pacer Stuart Broad said on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena told him if it were zing bails, Steve Smith would have been out.

“I honestly don’t know the rules. I think there was enough grey area to give that not out. It looked like benefit of the doubt sort of stuff, first angle I saw I thought out, and then the side angle it looked like the bails probably dislodged.

“Kumar [Dharmasena] said to me if it was zing bails it would have been given out, I don’t really understand the reasoning why,” Stuart Broad said.

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Zing bails show a glittering light as soon as bails are removed from the stumps. If zing bails were used in Ashes 2023, the umpire would clearly come to know precisely when the bails were dislodged.

Steve Smith went on to score 73 runs off 123 balls and ended as the top run-getter for his side in the 1st innings. Meanwhile, at the stumps of Day 2 of Australia vs England 5th Test, Australia led by 12 runs.

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Australia piled up 295-10 on the scoreboard before getting all-out in 1st innings. Hence, they managed to leapfrog England’s 1st innings total. Earlier, England piled up 283-10 in 1st innings.

For England, Harry Brook slammed the most 85 runs. Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali also added crucial knocks of 41 and 34 respectively. Mitchell Starc was the most successful Aussie bower with his 4 wickets.