Unhappy with Paine's dismissal, Wade calls for consistent implementation of DRS
Melbourne: Unhappy with skipper Tim Paine's dismissal in the second innings of the ongoing Boxing Day Test against India here on Monday, Australia's makeshift opener Matthew Wade has called for consistent implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS).
Wade made the statement after Paine was given out, caught behind off Ravindra Jadeja on the third day. The wicketkeeper-batsman was ruled out after the on-field call by Paul Reiffel was overturned by third umpire Paul Wilson.
Paine didn't hide his disappointment over the decision while leaving the field, prompting Wade to compare it with Australia's review of Cheteshwar Pujara on the second day's play on Sunday.
"From what I've seen it looked pretty similar to the first ball of yesterday, the one we actually referred, I think it was off Pujara.
"So from all reports and what I've seen, Snicko showed a very similar thing, one was given out and one was not out. That's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, but that's what it looked like from where we've been sitting and watching," Wade said at the virtual post-day press conference.
"I heard a noise on the Pujara one, I was at first slip at the time, and his bat was the only thing out there, and then we saw what you guys saw on the ground, which was a small spike. Either way, if it was out or not out, consistency is all you want as a player."
Paine was given out purely based on a Snicko spike as there was no mark on Hot Spot, which is the correct protocol.
But Wade took objection to Pujara's case as then also there was no mark on Hot Spot and a very small spike on Snicko, although the Indian was given a benefit of doubt, suggesting that the toe of his bat had clipped his pad.
Wade, meanwhile, blamed yet another poor show from the home team batsmen as Australia is struggling to save the second Test.
Leading the series 1-0, the home side slumped to 133 for 6 in their second innings to take a lead of two runs on day three with all-rounder Cameron Green (17 not out) and Pat Cummins (15 not out) at the crease.
"We've only got ourselves to blame a little bit there, but they've (India) been pretty much on the mark from the start," Wade, who top-scored for Australia with a defiant 137-ball 40, said.
Wade and Marnus Labuschagne (28 off 49 balls) were the only two Aussie batsmen so far to cross the 20-run mark as the Indian bowlers made merry before Green and Cummins put on a 34-run unbeaten stand for the seventh wicket.
"To be fair we haven't gone deep enough yet to really cash in on tired bowlers late in the day.
"Our intent's to go out and score obviously as a batting group and individually, but they're making it quite challenging at times," Wade said.
"Hard to get going, they're bowling pretty well, pretty straight, making it hard for us to score."
Wade has been performing the duties of an opener in the absence of an injured David Warner, who is out with a groin problem.
"We know how good Davey's (David Warner) been for a very, very long time, so it hurts having a guy out that averages nearly 50 in Test cricket obviously," he said.
"We've done the best we can possibly do and will continue to do the same things when we're asked for it."
Wade feels they still have a chance to go at the Indians if they extend their lead beyond the 100-run mark.
"We will take anything, to be honest. Anything over 100 will be good. It would be really if these two put on a nice partnership together, something we haven't done enough of over this Test match," he said.
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Indian missions in Gulf advise nationals to 'exercise utmost caution' after joint US-Israel strikes
Dubai (PTI): The Indian missions in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan among other countries in the Gulf region on Saturday issued advisories for its citizens urging them to “exercise utmost caution” and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently.
The advisories came hours after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Indian Embassy at Abu Dhabi urged all Indian nationals in the country “to avoid unnecessary travel, take due care, remain vigilant, follow safety guidelines and advisories as and when issued by the UAE authorities and the Embassy.”
The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are continuing to function normally, it said in a post on X and also gave a Toll free number (800-46342) and a WhatsApp number (+971543090571) along with two email IDs (pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in and ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in) for Indian nationals there to contact in case of emergency.
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The Embassy of India at Riyadh asked all Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia “to remain vigilant” and strictly adhere to the safety guidelines prevalent in the country.
In a post on X, it also asked them to “follow advisories issued by the local authorities and the Embassy,” and asserted that the Embassy of India, Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are continuing to function normally and will issue updates and advisories as an when necessary.
The Embassy's post also provided emergency contact 24*7 helpline numbers: 00-966-11-4884697, 00-966-542126748 (Whatsapp only) and 800 247 1234 (Toll-Free), apart from email Id (cw.riyadha mea.gov.in).
The Indian Embassy in Jordan said in its advisory, “In view of the prevailing regional situation, all Indian nationals and tourists in Jordan are advised to exercise utmost caution, stay safe and follow advisories issued by local authorities diligently.”
The advisory, posted on the Embassy's social media channels, further advised all Indian tourists in Jordan to leave the country “immediately before operations of commercial flights get disrupted.”
The Indian Embassy in Jordan also gave a contact number (00962-770 422 276) in case of any exigency.
The Embassy of India in Bahrain too advised all Indian nationals in Bahrain to take due care, and “follow news and advisories as and when issued by the Embassy & local authorities.”
The Embassy said it is continuing to function “as usual” and also shared a 24×7 helpline number (00973-39418071) in view of the current regional situation.
The Representative Office of India to the State of Palestine at Ramallah advised all Indian nationals in Palestine “to remain vigilant” and observe locally advised safety and emergency procedures.
“Please exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement,” it said in a post on X and gave contact details (+970592916418 or repoffice@mea.gov.in / cons.ramallah@mea.gov.in) in case of an emergency.
The joint US-Israel attack spread beyond Iran as its paramilitary launched drones and missiles targeting Israel. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted a US Navy fleet headquarters there while media reports said, quoting local witnesses, sirens and explosions could be heard in Kuwait, which is home to a base of US Army. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Iraq and the UAE said they have closed their airspace.
