The second day of the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground was marked by high drama, not least due to a controversial DRS (Decision Review System) call involving South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma. The incident has sparked widespread debate among players, umpires, commentators, and fans alike, raising questions about technology and its implementation in cricket.
Bavuma's contentious moment arrived during the Proteas' innings when facing a delivery from Josh Hazlewood. The ball struck Bavuma on the pads, and the on-field umpire raised his finger, adjudging him lbw (leg before wicket). With his team in a precarious position, Bavuma hesitantly decided to review the decision, using up almost the entire available time before signaling to the umpire with just four seconds left.
What followed stunned almost everyone watching. Replays showed the ball would have indeed crashed into the stumps. However, the Snicko, which detects edges via sound, registered a significant spike as the ball passed Bavuma's bat. Despite the clear visual evidence of a gap between bat and ball, the third umpire was compelled to overturn the on-field decision based on the Snicko indication.
The decision triggered immediate reactions of disbelief and surprise. Bavuma himself seemed taken aback, his body language suggesting he hadn't felt any edge. Australian players were visibly frustrated, convinced the original decision was correct.
Commentators weighed in with their observations, adding fuel to the controversy. Ian Smith noted Bavuma's lack of confidence, pointing out that his demeanor didn't suggest he believed he had edged the ball. Mel Jones echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Bavuma's delayed review indicated uncertainty rather than a clear sense of having made contact. "It didn't feel at all like he had that inside edge," Jones remarked.
The incident quickly spread across social media, with cricket fans expressing their disagreement and questioning the reliability of the technology. Many speculated about a possible glitch in the system, arguing that the visual evidence contradicted the Snicko reading.
Despite the reprieve, Bavuma's innings didn't last much longer. He was eventually dismissed for 36, contributing to South Africa's first-innings total of just 138. Australia seized the momentum, with Pat Cummins leading the attack and bagging six wickets.
The broader context of the match further amplified the significance of the DRS controversy. Australia had posted 212 in their first innings, and South Africa's poor response left them trailing. Every run was crucial, and Bavuma's survival, albeit brief, added to the tension.
Ultimately, the incident reignited the ongoing debate about the accuracy and interpretation of DRS technology. While intended to eliminate clear errors, the system isn't foolproof and can lead to contentious outcomes. The Temba Bavuma DRS call serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of relying solely on technology in cricket, especially when visual evidence seems to contradict the data.
