Australian batting legend Ricky Ponting has given his thoughts on the controversial Cameron Green catch due to which Shubman Gill was dismissed in the fourth innings of the ICC World Test Championship Final in the final session on day four.
Gill was batting on 18 when he was adjudged out by TV umpire Richard Kettleborough just before tea on the fourth day. Chasing 444 in the fourth innings, India started well and raced to 41 runs in just 7 overs. Gill’s dismissal, however, broke the flow of the Indian side as India went on to lose two more wickets post-lunch.
As soon as Green caught the ball at Gully, he started celebrating the outstanding one-handed grab with his teammates.
Ponting on the Cameron Green catch controversy
Ponting, who was in the booth when the dismissal took place, said that the right call was made but changed his opinion after seeing different angles of the catch. While taking to ICC, the former Australian captain said:
“When I saw it live, I knew it had carried to him on the full, but I wasn’t sure what the action was after that from all replays we have seen.”
“I actually think some part of the ball did touch the ground and it is the interpretation of the umpire that as long as the fielder has complete control of the ball before the ball hits the ground then it is out.
“That must have been what the umpires’ interpretation was and I think that is exactly what happened.
“It carried probably six or eight inches off the ground then there was another action after that.”
Also Read: Cameron Green Catch: Fans DISMAYED as Third umpire gives CONTROVERSIAL Out to Shubman Gill in WTC Final
Ponting feels the fans will be divided regarding the decision made, and it will be discussed even after the WTC Final is over.
“There will be a lot of talk about it I am sure and there will probably be more talk in India than in Australia,” Ponting said.
“Everyone in India will think it is not out and everyone in Australia will think it is out.”
Ponting on the importance of soft signal in such cases.
“If it had have been given out on the field then I think the third umpire has to find conclusive evidence to overturn that decision and I don’t think there would have been conclusive evidence,” Ponting said.
“The reason I am saying that is, even without the soft signal, the third umpire thought it was out.
“At the end of the day I think the correct decision has probably been made.”
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