Akram, Bhogle shocked by umpiring decisions in Melbourne Test

Mitch Marsh was saved twice early on day two of Australia’s second Test against Pakistan

PHOTO: AFP

Australian batsman Mitch Marsh had a shaky start on day two of the second Test against Pakistan, surviving two close calls in two balls thanks to DRS and leaving Wasim Akram fuming at umpire Joel Wilson's decisions.

Marsh replaced Travis Head at the crease after Head's dismissal and immediately faced trouble. Hasan Ali's LBW appeal was initially upheld by Wilson, sending Marsh scrambling for a review after chat with Marnus Labuschagne. Replays, however, showed a nick on the ball, much to Marsh's surprise, and the decision was overturned.

“The question is did he know himself?” commentator Harsha Bhogle said. “If he knew he would have gone for it straight away.”

However, Marsh on the very next delivery was caught behind. Wilson, for the second time, raised his finger. But Marsh, now more confident, challenged the call. DRS again came to his rescue, revealing the ball had only clipped his pads, not the bat.

Akram, commentating on the match, was scathing in his criticism of Wilson, calling his performance a "shocker."

“Joel Wilson is having a shocker,” Akram said.

The fans were equally livid with the umpiring of Joel Wilson.

Since the start of 2022, Joel Wilson's 37 percent decisions have been reversed on DRS in Tests - the highest for any umpire. (Minimum: 20 reviews). #AusvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 26, 2023

Poor Joel Wilson. At least has a sense of humour. Is able to laugh it off even if the players in the middle are getting stuck into him after having played fastest finger first with the DRS in the previous over #AusvPak
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 26, 2023

Joel Wilson just means instant review
— Tuk Tuk (@tuk_tuk96) December 26, 2023

2 minutes 2 Balls 2 wrong decisions by Umpire Joel Wilson, oh my God! If no DRS would have been available, his wrong decisions could finish 2 innings before start, poor umpiring ! Sorry Joel !!! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/BUDjawwO89
— Syed Haider (@SyedHaider512) December 26, 2023