Decision not to review Steve Smith lbw was understandable: Mike Hesson

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said that his team’s decision to not review a leg before appeal on Australia’s captain Steve Smith was perhaps the right one as there was a significant amount of doubt from his on-field players and also from people off the field. Smith survived a close leg before appeal when he was batting on 14 during the 1st ODI of the Chappel-Hadlee Trophy.

He was trapped in front by Trent Boult and the bowler was convinced that he had struck a major blow to dent the Australian run flow but the umpire ruled the decision in favour of the batsman. Despite being a close call, Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson decided not to review as the replays showed that a review would have forced the onfield umpire to change his original decision.

Smith was very lucky as he went on to plunder the New Zealand bowlers all around SCG en route his magnificent 164. Courtesy his scintillating innings, Smith went on to break AB de Villiers’ record for the highest individual score at the SCG. Smith told reporters after the match that he felt he was out and was relieved to see the visitors not going for a review.

“There was plenty of chat afterward about that,” Hesson told reporters in Sydney on Monday. “There were two sounds and the possibility of an inside edge.

“From our angle we heard two noises. Macca (batting coach Craig McMillan) and I were going ‘he’s probably nicked it’ and clearly, he didn’t.

“Generally (Williamson) looks to the guy square on in terms of height, the keeper has a good look, is sometimes obscured, first slip sometimes has a better look and he was unsure.

“All that’s got to happen pretty quickly. It was obviously pretty costly in the end.”

It was not the only thing that didn’t go in New Zealand’s way as their sloppy fielding cost them dearly. The bowlers went for plenty as they were unable to stem the run flow especially in the death overs going for 110 in the last 10 overs.

Debutant Lockie Ferguson was pretty expensive and bowled as many as 4 no balls as he conceded 73 runs from his 9 overs. However, Hesson felt that Ferguson was perhaps affected by cramps and he was still impressed with his pace that hurried the Australian batsmen.

“He conceded a lot with his extras and a lot of that was cramping and loss of stride length,” Hesson added.

“Those things happen and can be tidied up pretty quickly once he gets used to that kind of intensity.

“We want him to run in and bowl quick and create opportunity. We certainly saw some good signs,” the national team coach signed off.