Marnus Labuschagne would have WALKED if there wasn’t a TV umpire to look at catch vs South Africa

Marnus Labuschagne says if video replays were unavailable, he would have walked straight back to the pavilion after Simon Harmer’s would-be catch on day one of the third Test against South Africa.

Labuschagne was seemingly inexorable after lunch at the SCG on Wednesday, punishing Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj on his way to 70.

But the Proteas appeared to have the breakthrough they were after when Labuschagne edged a Marco Jansen delivery to Harmer, who took a low grab in the slips.

Labuschagne, 28, refused to budge though and umpire Paul Reiffel gave the soft signal of out as he sent the catch for review.

Third umpire Richard Kettleborough examined several replays and was eventually satisfied there was enough evidence to overturn the soft signal, judging Labuschagne not out as the ball had touched the grass before Harmer caught it.

Marnus Labuschagne has admitted if video replays weren’t an option, he would have walked straight back to the pavilion at the SCG on Wednesday on day one of the Third Test

Proteas players were seething at the decision, led by under pressure captain Dean Elgar (left)

Recent changes to ICC protocols makes it easier for the third umpire to overturn the soft signal.

After stumps, Labuschagne said he believed the third umpire made the right decision while adding that in another era, he would have copped Reiffel’s call on the chin.

‘If there’s no TV (replays) then I’m walking,’ he told reporters.

‘But with the amount of slow-motion footage you see of the ball, you see his fingers push and split open.

‘According to the technicalities, some of the ball is touching the grass, regardless of if his fingers are under it or not.

‘It’s hard because back in the day or even before we had this technology or camera work, they would just send you packing.’

South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne made his feelings known on field to Labuschagne in heated scenes

Labuschagne was adamant he wasn’t out, and stood his ground, later earning a reprieve from the third umpire

After the third umpire handed down his decision, Proteas captain Dean Elgar remonstrated with umpire Chris Gaffaney, clearly aware of the significance of the dangerous Labuschagne remaining in the middle at 1-130.

Tongue-in-cheek, Anrich Nortje signalled that South Africa should use their DRS review on the third umpire’s decision.

‘If you look at the angles, to us it looks like fingers are underneath it,’ Nortje said.

‘Unfortunately we didn’t get that one. I think it would’ve been a big one at that stage. We were convinced it was out.’

Former Test umpire Simon Taufel told Channel 7 he sympathised with the South Africans.

England captain Stokes believes that the ICC should look into getting rid of soft signals

Ben Stokes has called for the ICC to scrap soft signals after a controversial call in Sydney

‘It’s a tough call,’ he said.

‘Richard really had a tough job with that one, particularly because the camber of the ground slopes away.

‘I can understand why South Africa might feel a bit hard done by there.’

Nortje eventually sent Labuschagne packing once-and-for-all after rain, poor light and tea all combined to force a two-and-a-half hour delay.

Labuschagne (79) nicked him to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne on what turned out to be the last ball before bad light ended the action on day one.