A dreadful blunder by third umpire Nigel Llong badly damaged New Zealand's chances in the deciding third test against Australia at Adelaide Oval today.
With New Zealand having had a fine opening session, taking six for 62, to haul themselves into a dominant position - after making 202 in their first innings - with Australia 118 for eight, Llong erred in not giving tailender Nathan Lyon out on 0, caught off spin bowler Mitchell Santner.
"There's a mark on a bat, but it could come from anywhere." - #NigelLlong (Grabs from @wwos9 @CricketAus). #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/vRc5QtdJua
— Ron Flatter (@ronflatter) November 28, 2015
The ball brushed his bat, then hit his shoulder to be caught at second slip.
When the batsman was ruled not out, New Zealand referred the decision upstairs and after more than four minutes deliberation, as Lyon walked three-quarters of the way back to the dressing room, Llong gave him a reprieve.
The next hour hurt New Zealand, as Lyon and Peter Nevill put on a joint ninth wicket record against New Zealand of 74. When Lyon was out for 34, the deficit was just 12. Australia finished on 224, Doug Bracewell the pick of the attack with three for 18.
At the dinner break, New Zealand, having trailed by 22 on the first innings, were 22 without loss, openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill both on 10.
Fine New Zealand bowling had trimmed Australia in the first session, captain Steve Smith making 53, but otherwise it was one-way traffic. The bowlers put a clamp on the batsmen, fielded impressively and New Zealand were right back in the contest.
Australia dodged a bullet on Llong's decision and it might yet have a major part to play in the outcome of this test, which is shaping up as a low-scoring match.
- by David Leggat of the NZ Herald
