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Australian debutant Beau Webster has shared his views on Virat Kohli’s controversial fall from Steve Smith on Day 1 of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy New Year Test against India at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground ( SCG) in Sydney on Friday. January 3
On Day 1, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed high drama as Virat Kohli narrowly escaped dismissal against Australia. The tense moment unfolded in the 7.5 over of India’s first session when Virat Kohli stepped into 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 at the slips, tried to take the catch, but the ball brushed the turf just before it was caught by another Australian fielder in the gully. The field umpire referred the call to third umpire Joel Wilson, who carefully reviewed several camera angles.
After a thorough review, the decision went in India’s favour, allowing Kohli to continue with his innings, but he failed to make the most of the lifeline given to him in Sydney. Now, adding to the tension, Beau Webster expressed his disappointment, saying that while the initial vision looked clear, slow-motion replays confirmed the ball made contact with the ground.
It’s just a matter of how much the ball hit the turf: Beau Webster
Beau Webster said in the post-match press conference after the end of Day 1 at the SCG: “Yeah, I had a good look. I thought it was a clear catch from where I was at point. Obviously, when you slow it down and the replays and the slow cameras, there’s probably some grass that hit that ball. It’s just a matter of how much grass hit the ball.”
He also highlighted the challenges of low catches and increasing reliance on advanced technology in modern cricket. However, Webster said the Australian team was very happy that Kohli failed to convert his allowance into a century, but the incident became a major talking point.
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Beau Webster explained: “Whenever you get a low catch, there’s always going to be an element of grass near the ball, especially when you slow it down. So we all thought it was over, and unfortunately it didn’t work out for us , but we are all very happy that Virat Kohli didn’t get 100 after that.
It was also a tough call for the third umpire: Beau Webster
He signed off by saying: “It was difficult. It’s always difficult for a third umpire when you have this kind of replay and you have so much slow-motion technology these days. I feel like in the end it was a little bit inevitable when the ball hit the turf . Yes, a little.”
Notably, Virat Kohli was eventually dismissed by Scott Boland for just 17 runs off 69 balls as India could only post 185 runs on the board in their first innings against Australia in the ongoing New Year Test.
