Smith unhappy with controversial Marsh decision

Australia captain Steve Smith was critical of the handling of Mitchell Marsh's dismissal in the 55-run defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton on Monday.

Australia captain Steven Smith discusses the controversial dismissal of Mitchell Marsh with match referee Chris Broad

Australia captain Steve Smith was critical of the handling of Mitchell Marsh's dismissal in the 55-run defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton on Monday.

Marsh was removed in controversial circumstances in the 34th over, with Australia 164-5 in their chase of 247 to win.

The 24-year-old hit the ball directly onto his boot and the ricochet was caught by bowler Matt Henry, who appealed immediately but was not joined by his team-mates.

The officials initially appeared unmoved but referred the decision upstairs after a replay of the incident was played on the big screen inside the stadium.

Marsh was subsequently given out, and, although Smith admitted the correct decision had been reached, he believes protocol changes are needed in order to avoid a repeat.

"[Match referee Chris Broad] said neither of the umpires heard an appeal, so the game went on, or was supposed to go on. After what came up on the big screen they stopped the game for a bit and [New Zealand captain] Brendon [McCullum] came in and got involved. It was shown on the big screen that there was a half appeal, so they went upstairs and Mitchell was given out," the captain said.

"I think the New Zealand players genuinely didn't believe it to be out. Matt Henry had a half appeal and not until it came up on the big screen did they actually come in and get involved and think it was out. I thought the whole process was handled pretty poorly.

"They're well within their rights, that's for sure, I've been informed by Chris Broad the ball is not dead until the next ball is bowled or the bowler starts his run up, and he hadn't done that. There was a lot of time in between that; he stopped for a while to watch on the big screen.

"I think the right decision was made in the end, I think he was out – there's no doubt about that. I just think there needs to be a look into the game.

"I don't think decisions should be made coming across on the big screen. I don't think that's right for the game so I just think there needs to be better processes put in place."

Following Marsh's exit Australia could only reach 191 all out, consigning them to a 2-1 series defeat against the Black Caps.