Published: Feb 23, 2016, 12:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 23, 2016, 02:08 PM (IST)
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood pleaded guilty to dissent Tuesday following a profanity-laced confrontation with the umpires in the second Test against New Zealand, an Australian team spokesman said. Tempers flared after a Hazlewood lbw appeal for the wicket of Kane Williamson was turned down. Hazlewood was heard to use a swear word as players angrily converged on the umpires. The team spokesman said there was no immediate word on a penalty for Hazlewood. The stumps microphones at Hagley Oval picked up the obscenity from Hazlewood and others when the Australians converged on umpires Richard Kettleborough and Ranmore Martinesz. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd Test at Christchurch
Hazlewood’s appeal for the wicket of Williamson on 88 was rejected by Martinesz in the last over before lunch and the third umpire Richard Illingworth, after reviewing a replay, agreed Williamson was not out. Australian fast bowler Jackson Bird said the angry reaction was down to frustration after a tough morning in the field in which they failed to take a wicket. “We bowled pretty well in the first session and we probably thought it was out, but those 50-50 calls either go your way or they don’t,” he said. “It was probably the frustration of the whole session. We’d bowled pretty well and hadn’t got a wicket and we’d been pretty close a couple of times.” READ: Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood under scrutiny for intolerable reaction on umpire decision at Day 4, 2nd Test
The incident occurred in 73rd over on Day 4 of 2nd Test at Christchurch before lunch. When Martinesz ruled out the run-out on field, Smith immediately asked for review from third umpire Richard Illingworth.
Illingworth was more than convinced of an inside edge after viewing the hot spot that showed a small mark on the bottom of the bat as the ball passed, and he then asked Martinesz to stay still with his decision.
