Australian debutant Beau Webster shared his thoughts on Steve Smith's controversial loss of Virat Kohli on Day 1 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 New Year Test against India at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday Sydney, January 3rd.
On Day 1, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed high drama as Virat Kohli escaped dismissal against Australia. The tense moment unfolded in 7.5 overs of India's first session when Virat Kohli stepped to the crease, replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Virat Kohli survives close call at SCG as Beau Webster shares insights
Facing his first delivery from Australian pacer Scott Boland, Kohli had a lucky escape from what could have been another embarrassment for him. Scott Boland bowled a length delivery that caught the edge of Kohli's bat, sending the ball towards the slip cordon.
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Steve Smith, who was stationed in the slips, tried to take the catch but the ball brushed the turf just before it was picked up by another Aussie fielder at gully. The field umpire referred the close call to third umpire Joel Wilson, who scrutinized several camera angles.
After a thorough review, the decision went in India's favor, allowing Kohli to continue his innings, but he failed to make the most of the lifeline given in Sydney. Now, adding to the tension, Beau Webster has expressed his disappointment, saying that while the initial sighting looked clear, slow motion replays confirmed the ball made contact with the ground.
It's just a matter of how far the grass touched the ball: Beau Webster
Beau Webster said in his post-match press conference after the end of Day 1 at the SCG: “Yeah, I had a good view. I thought it was a clear capture of where I was at that point. Obviously, when you slow down, replays and slow motion, there's probably some grass that touched the ball. It's just a matter of how much the grass touched the ball.”
He also highlighted the challenges of low catches and the increasing reliance on advanced technology in modern cricket. However, Webster said the Australian team was very happy that Kohli failed to convert his reprieve into a century, but the incident became a major talking point.
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Beau Webster explained: “Whenever you get a small catch, there's always going to be an element of grass close to the ball, especially when you slow it down. So, we all thought it was over and unfortunately it didn't work out that way, but we're all quite happy that Virat Kohli didn't get a 100 after that.”
It was also a tough call for the third umpire: Beau Webster
He signed off by saying: “It was a difficult one. It's always difficult for a third umpire when you have replays like that and you have so much slow motion technology these days. I feel like it was a bit inevitable in the end when the turf ball arrived. Yes, a little.”
Remarkably, Virat Kohli was eventually dismissed by Scott Boland for just 17 runs off 69 balls as India could only put 185 on the board in the first innings against Australia in the ongoing New Year Test.