At the end of a sensational match, for a few moments, India thought they had ended the greatest win streak in One Day International cricket.
Chasing 275, with three needed off the final ball, Nicola Carey hit a full toss straight to the fielder. India celebrated, but it was deemed to be a no ball from Jhulan Goswami. The umpires checked multiple replays to ascertain if the ball was high and ultimately decided it was.
Australia went on to win the match off the ball by scampering for two runs, making it 26 wins on the trot in this format. Meg Lanning’s side last lost a match in October 2017.
Here’s a look at the no ball.
Australia vs India, second ODI as it happened: Beth Mooney century sets up dramatic last-ball win
WOW. This is called a no-ball!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 24, 2021
What's your call?! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ocmrUY6QvQ
The relevant rule in playing conditions:
41.7 Bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries
41.7.1 Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is to be deemed to be unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker. If the bowler bowls such a delivery the umpire shall immediately call and signal No ball. If, in the opinion of the umpire, such a delivery is considered likely to inflict physical injury on the batter by its speed and direction, it shall be considered dangerous. When the ball is dead the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first and final warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batters of what has occurred.
Here are some reactions to the decision:
UMPIRE SAYS YES https://t.co/xxpu1UDKLf
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 24, 2021
Tried my best to see if the no ball call was right. Picture on the left is Carey facing up for the last ball (waist blue line) Picture on the right is point of impact. Red line shows she is bent. Question is was the ball dipping enough? Plus my lines may not be exact science 🤷🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/MLq5fVfxhM
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) September 24, 2021
That looked like a no-ball in real time and it continues to look like a no-ball on the replay. #AUSvIND
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) September 24, 2021
Anyway, good on cricket for having a third umpire eyeball a crucial decision rather than, I dunno, letting ball-tracking decide a more clear-cut rule that says if it's higher than (say) half the batter's height when it passes the crease it's a no ball. Suck it, robots. #AUSvIND
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) September 24, 2021
Honestly, that lbw looked more out.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) September 24, 2021
But this no ball would be remembered forever.
I guess a lot of thrillers in sport would have some controversy :)
What a game!
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) September 24, 2021
India thought they’d won it.
But a no ball is called & @AusWomenCricket win by 5 wickets with a two from the free hit.
The unbeaten winning streak continues. How much longer can it go?
REPORT: https://t.co/JCVkcrqWFC#bbccricket #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BF6nslSjJn
Would it hit the stumps? Yes.
— KelvinR (@KachaK3la) September 24, 2021
Is she bent down? Yes
Is the contact with the ball outside the crease with the ball dipping? Yes
How is that a no ball?
WOW. Just WOW 😵😵💫😰🤯😳 what a freaking game!!! Sheesh.
— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) September 24, 2021
Just a quick one though - doesn’t two above the waist no balls mean you’re out of the attack!? Anyways. Wow. Proud. 🇦🇺 #AUSvIND
I didn't think it was a no ball. The ball was dipping and Mooney made contact with the ball quite ahead from the crease.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) September 24, 2021
India's win. Much too marginal to be called no ball. The fact it wasn't called live says it all #AUSvIND
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 24, 2021
#AUSvIND
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 24, 2021
For what it's worth, here's the official ruling for full toss no ball. Has to be considered the batter being upright. Also, Jhulan Goswami wasn't taken out of the attack because the second no ball was deemed not dangerous. pic.twitter.com/23BYLqOYLr
We did not lose for that no ball. So that debate is anyways invalid imo.
— PouLaMi (@Crictopher17) September 24, 2021
The game was lost in multiple catch , stumpings and runout misse. Batting and Bowling can't win matches alone. Keeping + Fielding is equally important. and that's proven again today #AUSvIND
Has to be said it wasn't a "bad" no ball call, the rules defining wides and waist no balls are just too subjective.
— Mr. Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (@basedIITian) September 24, 2021
Btw all the disagreements around the no ball on the last ball is pretty valid... But also, India didn't deserve to win!
— Jaanvi 🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) September 24, 2021