Is that a HIT Wicket? A controversial decision made by the third umpire when Mark Waugh hit the stumps with his bat after playing a delivery from Shaun Pollock.

From Law 35.2 Not Out Hit Wicket The striker is not out under this Law should his/her wicket be put down in any of the ways referred to in 35.1 if any of the following applies - it occurs after the striker has completed any action in receiving the delivery So, it's not out.

Correctly Not Out. The action that broke the stumps was not taken in the course of receiving the delivery. As an aside, Cronje was really not a good person: "...Hansie Cronje, who is said to have later speared a stump through the door of the umpires' room."

Australians same old cheats,he had not grounded his bat therefore the ball is not dead, when he collected his stumps,both Waugh's were not known for their sportsmanship,he should have walked.

Strop 3rd Umpire? Bairstow was out but Waugh isnt. We see you😉

He’s out. He’s hit his wicket. If he doesn’t, there’s no arguments!

That is not an easy one - had he completed his stroke? He was backing away and arguably reacting, and the ball is live, so there is a case for hit wicket - and/or maybe obstruction of the field?

I'm disagreeing with Richie Benaugh in like 40 years for the first time. I think that's out. It was part of the ball. 30 seconds later is a whole different scenario which can't be speculated on till we see it.

He was not in control of his bat - effectively the bat was swinging still. It is out.

Never realised how useless the replays were in those days. Like just play one replay that actually shows what happened ffs 😄

This is out if Johnny Bairstow was out. Same situation!!!

The ball is still in play. So he is out.

Edited down rule: The striker is out if, while the ball is in play, his wicket is broken by his bat IN THE COURSE OF any action taken by him in receiving a delivery. The striker is not out if it occurs AFTER the striker has COMPLETED any action in receiving the delivery.

I'm not sure how that could NOT be

Difficult but I would say not out 35.2 Not out Hit wicket The striker is not out under this Law should his/her wicket be put down in any of the ways referred to in 35.1 if any of the following applies: - it occurs after the striker has completed any action in receiving the

That's out every day of the week.

Was Hansie Cronje happy with the decision?

It was given not out and I think it was right call.

Ball is live, don’t hit your stumps. Out.

That’s a ridiculous decision

If Simon Awful’s the 3rd umpire, Australia’s opponents have no chance.

Not out. He wasn’t in the act of receiving the ball or setting off for the first run.

He was out. Not given.

it's just out , end of

@grok what was the correct decision here? Explain by referencing the relevant part of the laws of cricket.

He was in the follow through of his shot/ leave. So seems out

Yeah he is out but would that really be given in Australia??

Not sure if Richie was too impressed with Bill going strongly against him there

This is out!! This was discussed in a Golf Tournament too

It's the third umpire's discretion here. If the umpire thinks the batter is in control of his actions after fending off the ball, I can see why it was given not out. If he was 'forced into' hitting the stumps by his defensive movements, I could see him being given out.

A big decision - Australia then managed to hold on for a draw which gave them a 1-0 series win. SAF were desperate for a victory to level the series. Cronje smashed a stump thru the umpire's room door.

Out

Nothing controversial. That's a clear hit wicket

It's obvious Mr. Waugh did it on purpose, to avoid facing more bouncers from Pollock (and Donald if he was also playing).

If Waugh's off-balance when he does that, he's out. But because he's casually striding off when he hits the stumps it's hard to argue that he's still in the action of receiving the delivery. Personally I think if you knock over your own wicket while the ball's live you should go.

Bill Lawry, one of the greatest ever commentating!