This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Australia v New Zealand ODI: Mitchell Marsh Hit The Ball Into His Shoe And The Crowd Basically Gave Him Out

Mitch Marsh Hit The Ball Into His Shoe And The Crowd Basically Gave Him Out

Well, you don't see that every day.

The most controversial moment of the cricket summer occurred in Monday's one-dayer between Australia and New Zealand in Hamilton when a big screen replay prompted umpires to review what appeared to be a non-event.

A half-hearted, well, not even half-hearted, appeal from the bowler followed what appeared to be Mitchell Marsh driving the ball into the pitch and into the hands of Matt Henry.

But a replay at the ground appeared to suggest that Marsh struck the ball firmly into his shoe, giving rise to the possibility a genuine wicket had been taken.

After a controversial conference between umpires and players, the decision was referred to the third umpire and Marsh was given out.

The sort of dismissal that would have to read Marsh 41 c Henry b Marsh's Shoe.

It was a pivotal decision in the context of the match. Marsh was in good touch with Australia battling at 5 for 164 in search of 83 more runs. The Kiwis ended up winning the match by 55 runs and retaining the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Marsh was out. Simple as that. He can have no complaints with the dismissal. But it's the process leading up to the dismissal that caused quite a stir.

Grant Elliott appeared to have a chop at Marsh as he walked off the field, prompting Matthew Wade to call him a "f***ing coward", while Marsh's disappointment with the whole scenario culminated in some unsavoury expression as he traipsed back to the pavillion.

Australian skipper Steve Smith wasn't unhappy with the decision so much as how it came to be handed down.

"He [match referee] Chris Broad said neither umpire heard an appeal. I think that the New Zealand players genuinely didn't believe it to be out," he said after the match.

"I thought the whole process was handled pretty poorly.

"The right decision was made, he was out, no doubt about that."

Smith's counterpart Brendon McCullum, a key figure in the dismissal, magnanimously agreed with the Aussie skipper: "I don't think the process was ideal to be honest."

The big screen was later named man of the match.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.