Cricket umpire makes indefensible counting error during World Cup clash

13 February 2023 , 12:44

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Umpire Jacqueline Williams bizarrely miscounted the number of balls bowled in the seventh over of India's innings (Image: BBC Sport)

During the Women's T20 World Cup clash against rivals Pakistan, eventual winners India benefited from a bizarre decision by umpire Jackie Williams

With India chasing a target of 150 to win after Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof top scored with an unbeaten 68 in their innings, Williams somehow miscalculated the number of balls bowled in the seventh over of India's chase. After spinner Nida Dar had delivered a tidy over that only went for six runs, Williams concluded that she still had another ball to bowl and Jemimah Rodrigues promptly struck it for four.

BBC Test Match Special commentator Henry Moeran was left completely baffled by Williams' error, while former England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss branded it "unbelievable" and "poor".

"Why is there another ball," Moeran questioned. "Explain that to me because we've had six in the over. What's going on? The second time umpire Williams has done that, apparently. How has that happened?

"There's confusion on the scoreboard and now conversations taking place with the Pakistan fielders. This is an international tournament. We've seen a seven ball over and the last ball of it has gone for four, that could be match winning. It's so basic."

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"It's shocking, added Elwiss. "There's no excuse for it really. Something has gone wrong somewhere." India ultimately went on to win the match by seven wickets, with Rodrigues smashing an unbeaten 53 from just 38 balls.

Jemimah Rodrigues struck the extra delivery for four (BBC Sport)

It is the second controversial incident Williams has been involved in at the tournament, having gone against the on-field umpire's soft signal to give New Zealand's Bernadine Bezuidenhout out during their tournament opener against Australia - despite the ball appearing to bounce into fielder Darcie Brown's hands.

The two on-field umpires were unsure if the catch was clean or not and sent it upstairs to third umpire Williams with a soft signal of not out. And after viewing the replay, Williams felt it conclusively showed Brown had taken a clean catch, stating: "The fingers are clearly under the ball ... and it's safely held in the hand."

The commentators were left baffled by her decision, with ex-Australia star Mel Jones admitting: "I think this has surprised a lot of people. You can't certainly underestimate the athleticism to attempt to get to that ball, but my eyes had that bouncing before going in the hands."

Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Katey Martin added: "My eyesight's definitely gone now that I've retired, but it just looked like it was on the half volley. It looked like it bounced into the hands."

Matthew Cooper