Third umpire controversies have reared their head again in the domestic one-day competition, with Queensland coach Darren Lehmann showing his anger at a call despite a five-wicket win over Tasmania at Bellerive.
Lehmann brandished the competition’s rule book at a television camera after Australian one-day representative Peter Forrest was given out lbw when third umpire Paul Wilson intervened.
On-field umpire Geoff Joshua had given Forrest not out when Tigers quick James Faulkner appealed in the 35th over with the score 2-168 and the Bulls chasing 276 for victory.
But on viewing a replay, Wilson reversed the decision and Forrest was on his way for four at a crucial point in the match.
Lehmann was seen leaving the players’ viewing area with his copy of the playing conditions, returning several minutes later.
It is not the first time the competition’s third umpire review system has come under scrutiny.
Bulls captain Chris Hartley recently questioned it, saying batsmen were hanging around waiting for replays while ad breaks on Fox Sports meant mistakes were being missed on the last ball of an over.
Hartley called for international cricket’s two referral system to be adopted.
Earlier in Wednesday’s match, Tasmanian keeper Tim Paine was sent on his way caught behind when an inconclusive TV replay was viewed and the original decision upheld.
Under the playing conditions, the third umpire can change a decision if TV replays show it to be clearly wrong.
The controversy overshadowed classy knocks from Tigers captain George Bailey (102 from 124 balls) and Queensland’s former Test batsman Usman Khawaja (78 from 91).
Bailey showed the way as his struggling side made 275 after being sent in, with Alex Doolan (48 from 68) chipping in and James Faulkner blasting 30 from 16 balls, including three sixes from one Ben Cutting over.
Queensland were cruising at 0-116 and 2-168 when Forrest was given out before Nathan Reardon smashed 71 from 54 balls, with eight fours and three sixes, to steer his side to 5-278 with a single ball to spare.
The win was the Bulls’ first for the season, while the Tigers are now 1-3.
