Smith, Hazlewood get involved in an ugly confrontation with the umpire

The New  Zealand v Australia 2nd Test was quite well poised as the day 4 approached lunch. While the Aussies were bowling their hearts out to bowl out the Kiwis, the home team batted with more patience and continued the resistance. In the 73rd over of the day Josh Hazlewood bowled a beauty to Kane Williamson was batting on 88.

It was an inswinging Yorker and thought he had his man. They all went up but the umpire Ranmore Martinesz adjudged it not out. Smith immediately referred it, the third umpire Richard Illingworth looked convinced it was out after a couple of replays but another hot spot replay showed a faint edge at the toe of the bat and Illingworth asked the onfield umpire to stay with his original decision.

This did not go well with the Australian skipper Steve Smith as well as the bowler Hazlewood, who were watching replaying on the big screen. They charged at the umpire Ranmore and argued that it was not the ball hitting the bat but rather the boot of the batsman.

While making his way back to his bowling mark, Hazlewood, as he passed the umpire was caught in the stump mic saying: “Who the f*** is the third umpire?”

The reaction of the Australian players drew immediate criticism from the on air TV commentators Mark Richardson and Ian Smith who called their behavior “intolerable” and condemned it.

Smith said, “You live by the sword, you die by the sword,”

“It’s not this man’s fault. He gave it not out, you asked, they provided the evidence. He does not deserve a grilling out there.”

Hazlewood had certainly invited a fine on him with that behaviour. After the end of day’s play Cricket Australia tweeted: “Josh Hazlewood has been charged with dissent and pleaded guilty from today’s play in Christchurch. ICC to decide on penalty.”

https://youtu.be/OG4gUA7t0Jw