Batsman Chris Gayle and fast bowler were involved in a close shave during Thursday’s World Cup fixture between Australia and the West Indies at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Some nagging line and length beat Gayle’s defence to strike brush the off-stump, but the bails didn’t fall. This was the third time this World Cup the bails haven’t been removed despite the stumps being struck.

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne were the fortunate recipients against England and New Zealand, respectively.

Australia and umpire Chris Gaffaney mistook the sound of the ball brushing the stumps. They thought Gayle had feathered an edge to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Gayle’s review – and television replays – soon revealed the truth.

The International Cricket Council have defended the peculiarities, insisting: ‘The zing bails perform exactly as the regular ones and, in fact, are lighter than those used by umpires when it is windy. The lights make any movement more noticeable.’

Starc eventually completed a five-wicket haul, regardless – and Australia won by 15 runs.

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