Spidercam in the spotlight after Steve Smith drops a sitter
Indian opener KL Rahul was batting on 46 not out in the 53rd over of the Indian innings when he mistimed a bouncer from Shane Watson up in the air. Australian captain Steve Smith, one of the best fielders in world cricket at the moment, was under the ball and most of the spectators at the stadium and at home expected him to grab it safely.
That, however, didn’t turn out to be the case as the 26-year-old grassed the chance, thereby handing Rahul a lifeline. Following the drop, Smith seemed to indicate that the ball had taken a deflection off the camera.
Healy supports Smith
Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy backed Smith’s claims while on air, saying that it was indeed the spidercam that had come in the way, leading to the skipper dropping the catch.
“I think it's hit spidercam, which means dead ball. Had to happen one day, looks like it is today ... he's got the sun to contend with, then he changes direction. Might not have hit the wire, might have just distracted him,” Healy said.
Cricket Australia and Channel Nine deny claims
However, Cricket Australia and Channel Nine later released a joint statement clarifying that the ball had neither hit the camera nor any of its wires.
"We have spoken about the matter involving spidercam and the dropped catch before lunch and it's clear the ball did not hit the camera or its supporting wires," the statement said.
Rahul carried on to complete his first Test century, before being dismissed on 110 trying to pull Mitchell Starc.
Disappointing from Rahul, no acknowledgement of the Spidercam in his celebration.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) January 8, 2015
Every Ch9 commentator instantly says it wasn't Spidercam. Which makes me think ... #austvind
— Greg Baum (@GregBaum) January 8, 2015