ICC admit Nigel Llong's DRS error

The decision to give Nathan Lyon not out was a game-changer

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have admitted that third umpire Nigel Llong made “an incorrect judgement” in giving Nathan Lyon not out on the second day of the day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide, reports ESPN Cricinfo.

The decision, which was the major talking point from the first-ever day-night Test drew plenty of critcism from all quarters, including New Zealand’s coach Mike Hesson, captain Brendon McCullum and batsman Ross Taylor.

“ICC has reviewed the decision and acknowledged that it was incorrect,” it said on Twitter, before adding that it had also responded to New Zealand Cricket’s questioning of the decision. "ICC confirms the umpire followed the correct protocol, but made an incorrect judgement.”

Nathan Lyon attempted a sweep off spinner Mitchell Santner, only to top-edge it into his shoulder and onto the hands of Ross Taylor at first slip. When the appeal was turned down by umpire S Ravi, McCullum asked for a review.

Although there was a clear mark on the top edge of Lyon’s bat on Hot Spot and the batsman had started to walk away to the dressing room, he was given not out by Nigel Llong, the third umpire. The reason why Ravi’s decision was upheld, after five minutes of replays, was because there was nothing on Snicko, even though there was a definite deviation in the ball’s course.

When the controversial decision was made, Australia were struggling at 118 for 8, in response to New Zealand’s 202. Had Lyon been given out, when he was on 0 and Mitchell Starc suffering a stress fracture on his right foot and unsure of whether he would bat or not, the hosts would have struggled to come close to the Kiwis’ total, let alone take a slender lead.

As it was, the last two wickets added 108 runs, with Lyon scoring 34 of them as the hosts took a first-innings lead of 22. The Kiwis, who were dismayed at the decision, didn’t do too well with the bat in the second innings either, as they were bowled out for 208 on day three.

While the target of 187 that was set, wasn’t a huge one, the hosts managed to get over the line eventually, to complete a 2-0 victory in the Trans-Tasman Trophy.