In one of the most unusual incidents in recent domestic cricket history, New South Wales allrounder Chris Green was given out caught behind—twice—only for umpire Gerard Abood to reverse his own decision in a jaw-dropping sequence of events during the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground .
Table of Contents
- The Bizarre Incident
- How Did It Happen?
- Reactions from the Ground
- Rare Umpiring Moments in Cricket
- What This Means for Green and NSW
- Sources
Chris Green’s Caught Behind Drama: A Decision Reversed Not Once, But Twice
During New South Wales’ innings against Western Australia, Chris Green edged a delivery from Matt Kelly that appeared to carry to the wicketkeeper. Umpire Gerard Abood initially raised his finger, signaling Green out caught behind. But what followed defied all norms of on-field officiating .
After Green expressed disbelief and engaged in a calm but firm discussion with Abood, the umpire—astonishingly—retracted his decision. Even more bizarrely, reports suggest Abood had given Green out twice before finally changing his mind, leaving players, commentators, and fans stunned .
“You NEVER see this!” — Onlookers reacting to the unprecedented reversal .
How Did It Happen? Breaking Down the Sequence
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the unusual event:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Green edges Matt Kelly’s delivery |
| 2 | Umpire Abood gives Green out caught behind |
| 3 | Green questions the decision; discussion begins |
| 4 | Abood signals out again, reaffirming initial call |
| 5 | After further dialogue, Abood reverses decision—Green recalled |
Notably, there was no DRS involved—this was purely an on-field judgment reversal, a rarity in modern cricket .
Reactions from the Ground
Teammates and opponents alike were visibly confused. Western Australia’s captain reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the reversal, while Green, though relieved, appeared more bewildered than celebratory .
Commentators called it “extra-ordinary” and “a scene you’ll rarely witness in professional cricket” . Social media lit up with clips of the moment, with many dubbing it “the reprieve of the season.”
Rare Umpiring Moments in Cricket History
While umpires occasionally correct no-ball oversights or front-foot errors, reversing a dismissal call—especially caught behind—without technological aid is almost unheard of. Past parallels include:
- 2007 Ashes: Steve Bucknor recalled Kevin Pietersen after initially giving him out LBW—but that involved player clarification on a deflection.
- 2019 County Cricket: An umpire reversed a stumping call after realizing the bails hadn’t fully dislodged.
But Green’s case stands out for its sheer unpredictability—and the fact that the same umpire changed his mind after reaffirming the original decision .
What This Means for Chris Green and New South Wales
Green went on to play a crucial innings for NSW, turning his bizarre reprieve into a match-defining contribution. Beyond the scoreboard, the incident highlights the human element in cricket officiating—and the fine line between authority and adaptability .
For fans of [INTERNAL_LINK:Sheffield Shield] cricket, this moment is a reminder that even in an era dominated by technology, the game’s spirit—and its surprises—remain intact.