The hosts Australia were handed a ‘five-run penalty’ in their second innings of the Sydney Test after batsmen David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne were adjudged to have run on the ‘danger zone’ of the pitch by umpire Aleem Dar.
Warner, who had already completed his 24th Test century, was left baffled by Dar’s decision and was heard asking the umpire: “For what. What am I doing wrong?”
Australia have been penalised five runs for running in the 'danger zone' of the pitch.#AUSvNZ | https://t.co/rx14Qs3S0i pic.twitter.com/sIEtazVcXl
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 6, 2020
According to cricket.com.au, Warner even asked the other on-field umpire, Marias Erasmus, “What do you want me to do, play the shot and jump this way?” as he motioned jumping sideways.
Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, who was on-air commentating for Fox Cricket, was also unhappy by the umpire’s call.
“I think it’s a fair point from David Warner,” said Lee.
“I mean, where’s he meant to run?”
Aleem Dar first gave an official warning to Labuschagne for running down the middle of the wicket. Two balls later, Dar deemed Warner running on the ‘danger zone’ while taking a quick single and, therefore, gave the hosts the penalty.
The five runs were added to New Zealand’s first innings, boosting it from 251 to 256 to leave the visitors needing 416 to win the third and final Test on the ongoing series.
