Defending champions England were fuming after Mark Wood was denied a crucial catch in a costly T20 World Cup loss to South Africa on Saturday (AEST).
Undefeated South Africa pulled off a seven run win in the Super Eight playoffs on the back of Quinton de Kock’s quickfire 65 from 38 balls.
De Kock smacked the tournament’s joint fastest half century off just 22 balls and was given a life on 58 when video replays suggested Wood’s fingers were not underneath the catch.
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The decision left England players fuming after it initially appeared much maligned umpire Joel Wilson would give de Kock out.
“Fingers are under the ball, but can you give me another angle? That looks like it’s on the ground now,” Wilson said.
Wood and England captain Jos Buttler remonstrated with the umpires.
“Wood’s clearly not happy, and neither is Buttler,” former England skipper Eoin Morgan said in commentary.
“Obviously he’s a bit of an eagle eye is Quinton de Kock because he’s spotted something,” South Africa great Shaun Pollock added.
“I think on the replay for me it looks like it’s burst through the fingers and made contact with the ground, so that’s the right decision.”
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England were restricted to 6-156 in reply to South Africa’s 6-163.
Harry Brook, who made 53, and Liam Livingstone, with 33 off 17 balls, had the chase under control for England with 25 needed off 18 balls until fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje dismissed them in the last three overs.
“Getting to those last three overs, the odds looked heavily against you,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said.
“But the bowlers came back, it shows a lot of skill and shows the fight inside.”
South Africa’s win streak has now extended to six games and they are a firm favorite for the semi-finals after two wins in two Super Eight matches.
Later, Shai Hope hit 82 from 39 balls in a spectacular display of power hitting as the West Indies beat the United States by nine wickets in a match between the tournament co-hosts.
Hope struck eight sixes as the West Indies ran down their winning target of 129 with more than nine overs to spare.
After a loss to England in their first Super Eight match, the West Indies had to win to stay in semi-final contention.
The United States surprised the cricket world by beating powerhouse Pakistan on the way to the Super Eight playoffs but after losses to South Africa and the West Indies in the playoff stage now cannot reach the final four.
Roston Chase took a career-best 3-19 and Andre Russell 3-31 as the West Indies limited the United States to 128 in 19.5 overs after winning the toss.
“This is my favorite place to play cricket,” Chase said.
“I’m from Barbados so I grew up playing a lot of cricket here. It’s our destiny and our goal to go out there and win this World Cup.”
Hope was added to the West Indies lineup as an injury replacement for Brandon King who was ruled out with a side strain.
“A tough night for the boys,” US captain Aaron Jones said.
“Against the West Indies we needed a target of 175 or 180 and obviously we didn’t get that.”