The Tuesday fixture at ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati witnessed England’s Heather Knight delivering a match-defining performance against Bangladesh. Chasing 179, England were teetering at 103/6 before Knight’s unbeaten 79, alongside Charlie Dean’s 29 not out, sealed a tense four-wicket victory with 23 balls to spare. However, the spotlight wasn’t just on her resilient batting. Three DRS (Decision Review System) reprieves sparked heated discussions. The most debated, however, was the second caught reversal in the 15th over.
Heather Knight’s comeback under pressure
Knight, back in action after a hamstring injury sidelined her since May, walked into a high-stakes game with England desperate to cement their place at the top of the World Cup points table. Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Fahima Khatun’s fiery 3/16, had England in deep trouble. Knight, no longer the team captain but still a linchpin, faced a trial by spin and swing on a tricky pitch. Her response? A composed 79 off 111 balls, laced with elegant shots like a reverse sweep that commentators raved about. Yet, it was her survival through three DRS calls that became the talking point.
The catch controversy that divided opinions
The defining moment of the match arrived in the 15th over when Knight attempted a drive off Nahida Akter and the ball appeared to carry low to Shorna Akter at extra cover. The on-field umpire declared Knight out, and the batter began walking off, accepting the decision without protest. But upon review, third umpire Gayathri Venugopalan determined that the ball had brushed the turf before being cleanly taken, overturning the decision.
The reversal immediately stirred reactions across social media and among commentators. While some praised the use of technology for ensuring accuracy, others felt the evidence was inconclusive and the decision harsh on Bangladesh.
Knight’s candid reflection on the incident
After the game, Knight addressed the controversy head-on with honesty and humility. Admitting that she initially believed she was out, Knight said she respected the umpire’s review process but acknowledged the unusual nature of her reprieves.
“Can’t say I’ve been out three times and been reprieved in an innings — that’s a new one for me. I thought it carried and thought it was a fair catch, which is why I walked off. The third umpire decided otherwise,” Knight remarked during the post-match presentation.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
