Umpire’s decision sparks debate as Mark Adair dislodges bails with hands before ball hits stumps

In the final overs, with the Windies side needing four runs to win of as many deliveries, the right-handed Sheldon Cottrell slapped the ball to the short mid-wicket and ran across for a quick single. While he had to rush to the other end, the Irish fielders were confident that they would inflict a run-out and take the game home. 

However, none of that worked despite good work from the bowler Mark Adair and the fielder as the umpire gave the decision ‘not-out,’ because Adair did not have the ball in his hand when he hit the stumps. While he did not have it, the ball certainly hit the stumps which looked out in all-ways. The space of microseconds, however, made it clear that it was indeed not out, for it was a brave decision by the umpire. The lifeline was rightly used by Cottrell who smashed the ball out of the ground to take them home in a tense-finish. 

One of the craziest finishes ever during #WIvIRE



With West Indies needing 4 off 4 with one wicket remaining, Ireland looked to have won it, however the third umpire deemed that Adair broke the stumps after the ball left his hands pic.twitter.com/pzdirJ4g69

— Nathan Williamson (@NathW1997) January 10, 2020