Michael Clarke, the former Australia captain, came down hard on Steve Smith after the current captain sought help from the dressing room on a Decision Review System (DRS) call, on the fourth day of the second Test in Bengaluru on Tuesday (March 7).
AUSTRALIA TOUR OF INDIA 2017
Michael Clarke terms Steve Smith's DRS move 'unacceptable'
"My concern and my worry is that when you look at the footage of what happened with Smith, Handscomb ... actually suggests to Smith to turn around and have a look at the support staff," said Clarke. © BCCI
Smith was trapped in front by Umesh Yadav leaving Australia at 74 for 4. He then walked towards non-striker Peter Handscomb to seek his views about reviewing the decision. After a brief discussion, both batsmen turned towards the dressing room with Smith making a hand gesture so as to indicate what they should do. Nigel Llong, the umpire, was quick to spot the intention and gave Smith the marching orders. Smith's move left Virat Kohli and Co. furious.
According to the law, a batsman can only consult his partner before taking the DRS and, at no time, can seek help from the umpires or the team to make a decision. Clarke felt if Australia have been seeking help from the dressing room, then that's unacceptable.
"I want to find out from the Australian team if they're using the DRS in that way, if they are then that is unacceptable," he told India Today. "My concern and my worry is that when you look at the footage of what happened with Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb ... actually suggests to Steve Smith to turn around and have a look at the support staff.
"If it is only a one-off, I don't think that would have happened. The fact that Peter Handscomb is even thinking about telling the Australian captain to turn around and look to the support staff, I've got my concerns."
Kohli, while
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