Virat Kohli's contentious first-ball survival explained

Reviewing the decision, third umpire Joel Wilson deemed the ball in Smith's hand had assistance from the ground in the process of the catch, not satisfying the conditions of a fair catch per MCC Law 33.

Through the limitations of various replay angles, the decision was not one agreed upon unanimously in the cricket community.

Former Test umpire Simon Taufel explained why the review was hard to judge on Channel 7’s coverage of the match.

“Depending upon which side of the fence you sit on you could probably build a case for either decision to be given,” he explained.

“Listening to Joel Wilson’s language there (making the decision), where he said the fingers were underneath the ball and then he’s seen it roll on to the ground, by his own language he is telling us that he believes he’s seeing that ball on the ground.

“So, there are two things that the TV umpire here is looking for. One is fingers underneath the ball. He was satisfied there. But then he believes through those pictures that he’s clearly seen the ball on the ground.

“I can certainly understand what the third umpire’s done there. He believes he’s seen the ball on the ground and called it way he’s seen it. Normally the ICC protocol on fair catches is if you see the fingers underneath the ball, that’s good to maintain a fair catch.

“But here’s the problem: the on-field umpire’s no longer have the soft signal and make the decision, it’s purely in the hands of the television umpire now.”

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