Australian opener David Warner was fuming during the 2023 World Cup match in Lucknow against Sri Lanka when the Decision Review System (DRS) and Hawk-Eye failed to assist him in overturning an on-field LBW decision.
After an impressive start, the southpaw batsman missed a pull-shot off Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka and was struck on the knee-roll, near the leg-stump line, in the fourth over. He promptly signaled to the umpire, asserting that the ball was veering down the leg side. However, the umpire deliberated before raising his finger.
Warner opted for a review, but the Hawk-Eye displayed two reds and upheld the umpire’s original decision with the “Umpire’s Call” verdict for clipping the leg-stump. In frustration, Warner thumped his bat against his pad and voiced his discontent before trudging off the field.
Australia was pursuing a target of 210 for a crucial victory, and Warner had started on a positive note, launching a massive six in the opening over bowled by Lahiru Kumara. However, Madushanka struck again, dismissing Steve Smith in the same over, leaving Australia reeling at 24/2.
This wasn’t the first instance of a DRS decision going against the Australian team in the World Cup. In their previous match at the same venue against South Africa, which they lost, two deliveries from Kagiso Rabada led to the dismissals of Smith and Marcus Stoinis in quick succession.
Warner gets angry from umpire decision ..
— M U D A S I R 👑 (@Mudassi71419666) October 16, 2023
He wast not happy after declare out😮#AUSvsSL #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/0zU59oV4tM
Smith was adjudged LBW on a delivery that appeared to be very close to leg-side, but Hawk-Eye overturned the on-field decision with three reds. Controversy arose because only a still image was shown, omitting the ball’s trajectory.
A few overs later, South Africa appealed for a caught-behind dismissal against Stoinis. Their review suggested that Stoinis had gloved the ball, although at that moment, his glove wasn’t in contact with the bat. Nonetheless, the third umpire held a different perspective.