Saturday 24 June 2017 10:24, UK
Jason Roy was given out obstructing the field during the second T20I between England and South Africa - but was it the right decision?
The England opener was sent back by Liam Livingstone as he looked to get himself back on strike, he hurried to make his ground but with the throw looking to be on target to hit the stumps, Roy blocked the ball with his body.
Under the laws of the game, if he did so intentionally, he would have to be dismissed. The decision was sent to the third umpire, who adjudged that he had made a move to prevent the ball hitting the stumps and Roy had to go.
The batsman clearly disagreed with the decision and it proved a crucial wicket. Roy had made 67 from 45 balls before the incident and had put England in control of the match but the hosts struggled after his dismissal and slipped to a three-run defeat.
England captain Eoin Morgan described it as a "50-50 call" and his South African counterpart AB de Villiers admitted it was "not an easy decision" but Sky Sports' David Lloyd, a former umpire himself, believes the correct decision was made according to the laws of the game.
"It is [controversial] for the crowd and for social media but the umpires know the laws of the game and he changed direction," Bumble said. "You'll notice that he's on one side of the pitch and turns around and he's on the other side of the pitch. It's just the laws of the game and you can't do that.
"The lad is so disappointed at the dismissal but South Africa are absolutely in the right. Jason Roy, or any player, can talk all they like - you can't go from one side to the other and then try to regain your ground."
Meanwhile, former South Africa bowler Shaun Pollock argued that there were two key reasons why the third umpire came to the decision to give Roy out.
"It's a harsh one but there are two pointers that the umpires will have looked at: he's gone right across the pitch and he's watched it the whole way," he told Sky Sports.
"It's not like he's turned blind and just carried on running, he watched the ball right until it's released and is three or four metres out of the hand. He's altered and he's seen where the ball is coming from so he's got to go."
Click play on the video above to watch the incident and let us know your opinion. Should Jason Roy have been given out or not? Tweet us @SkyCricket.
