AUSTRALIAN
players were left seething at umpires and their New Zealand
counterparts last night, after the controversial dismissal of Mitchell
Marsh cost them the Chappell-Hadlee ODI trophy in Hamilton.
Marsh
appeared to mouth “F***ing bull s**t” in the direction of Black Caps
captain Brendon McCullum as he walked off, in a flashpoint that ended
Australia’s streak of one-day series victories and lit a fuse of
ill-feeling ahead of the trans-Tasman Test series starting on Friday.There was little doubt Marsh was out for 41, after freakishly smashing a ball onto his own foot before it carried to bowler Matt Henry as Australia capitulated chasing a meagre target of 247 to win. However, furore surrounded the dubious process umpire Ian Gould followed in making the critical decision of the series.
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After originally ignoring a half-hearted appeal from Henry that wasn’t even made in his direction, Gould only sent the decision upstairs for review when a replay flashed up on the big screen, the packed house of 9751 erupted in jeers and skipper McCullum belatedly motioned in his direction.
By that point Henry was right back at the top of his run-up ready to charge in for the next ball.
However, once it was referred, the third umpire had no choice but to give the firing all-rounder out following a series of conclusive replays. Marsh’s exit left Australia reeling at 6-164 – still 83 runs from victory – proving the decisive moment as the visitors collapsed to lose by 55 runs in the 44th over.
There will be no love lost when the two teams lock horns in the Test series later this week – and retiring skipper McCullum could be at the centre of it.
Only last year McCullum was heavily critical of Steve Smith in a newspaper column, after the Aussie captain had refused to withdraw a controversial handled ball appeal against England at Lord’s.
McCullum at the time called into question the spirit shown by Smith, but the Kiwi captain had no hesitation in pushing the envelope with umpire Gould in his final ODI last night.
A war of words erupted out in the middle, as Marsh acted furiously when McCullum attempted to pat him on the back on his way off the field.
It was alleged Grant Elliott also gave Marsh a send-off, prompting batting partner Matt Wade to apparently call the New Zealander a “f***ing coward.”
Australian skipper Smith was highly frustrated on the sidelines where he appeared to seek clarification from fourth umpire Billy Bowden.
Despite the conjecture, Australia will feel they butchered a chance to extend their winning streak in ODI series to seven – dating back to late 2014.
Australia was cruising at 1-75 when key man Usman Khawaja edged behind to go for 44.
Smith and Glenn Maxwell (0) were then rolled inside three balls to leave Australia in big trouble at 4-94.
However, the clump of wickets only brought the in-form Marsh to the crease and the powerful right-hander appeared on track to lead Australia to victory for the second time in three days as he settled into a strong partnership of 59 with George Bailey.
When Bailey had his stumps knocked over by Henry (3-60) the squeeze was once again on the Aussies.
Matt Wade and John Hastings were the last partnership of hope for Australia after Marsh’s departure – but neither were able to kick on and the tail offered little resistance until Scott Boland was ultimately run out by Henry Nicholls to finish the match.
The form of Maxwell and Wade is a particular concern for Australia heading into the World Twenty20 – while Smith is also experiencing a rare lean patch.
Earlier, Marsh fired again with the ball, taking three wickets and at one point going on a hat-trick.
It’s Smith’s first ever series loss as Australian captain.
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