Pakistan veteran Nida Dar was potentially lucky not to be given out following a late withdrawal at the crease during Saturday’s ODI against Australia at North Sydney Oval.
In the 27th over of Pakistan’s run chase, Dar walked away from a Tahlia McGrath delivery that crashed into her stumps.
Umpire Claire Polosak signalled a dead ball, and play resumed without much protest from the Australians, but commentators questioned whether the 36-year-old had been gifted an extra life at the crease.
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Dar had stepped away after McGrath released the ball, and pundits theorised what would have happened if Australia appealed for bowled.
“I was always under the impression that when you were in your stance and tapped your bat down, you were ready to accept the delivery,” former Australian captain Rachael Haynes said on Fox Cricket.
“Nida Dar needs to be a bit careful there.”
Former Australian batter Alex Blackwell continued: I thought that was fair; she didn’t see the ball.”
Replays showed that Dar looked up and saw McGrath entering her delivery stride but did not pull away until after the ball had been released.
Channel 9 reporter Mark Gottlieb tweeted: “This should be out. We talk a lot about over rates in cricket, but bowlers shouldn’t have to wait until a batter is ready before starting to run in. Batters should face up quicker.”
Cricket commentator Sam Tugwell posted: “That’s out. The ball is well and truly out of Tahlia’s hand.”
Dar couldn’t make the most of her reprieve, dismissed by Annabel Sutherland in the 35th over for 29 (29).
Pakistan ultimately fell 101 runs short of the 337-run target at North Sydney Oval as Australia cruised towards a 3-0 whitewash.
Earlier, Australian wicketkeeper Beth Mooney scored a career-best 133 (105) to help the hosts register 9-336, the nation’s fourth-highest team total in ODI history.
