David Bedingham discusses the dead ball incident in the WTC Final, saying, "I panicked big time"

The issue around ball handling occurred during South Africa's opening innings.

One of the most talked-about moments in the ICC WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s occurred on day two when South African batsman David Bedingham was embroiled in an odd handball dispute.

Beau Webster of Australia bowled the 49th over of South Africa’s innings, and David Bedingham inside-edged a ball into his pad. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey moved forward to make the catch as the ball slowly trickled down.

But before Carey could catch the ball, David Bedingham swiftly reached down with his hand and planted it.

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and close-in fielders responded to the event by requesting that umpires Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth confer. They declared the ball dead in the end. Bedingham publicly discussed the issue and acknowledged that he had panicked during the play that day.

“I think Carey was standing up, so he was pretty close, so I freaked out.” I believe that my manner of dropping and picking up the ball came across as a little shady. I’m relieved that the appeal was just withdrawn. I’m relieved that nothing came of it. “In any case, I believe it was dead ball,” the umpire remarked, Bedingham added during the news conference.

We would have taken the appeal off the table: Pat Cummins

In the meantime, the umpires’ decision was explained under Marylebone Cricket Club Law 20.1.1. If the ball becomes stuck between the batter and the bat or their clothing, it is said to be dead. The ball was declared trapped and out of play by the umpires. Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, was also instrumental in defusing the tension.

“I believe we would have withdrawn (the appeal), but the umpires initially declared it to be (a) dead ball,” he stated.

Later, David Bedingham, the leading scorer in South Africa’s 138-run total, was bowled by Cummins for 45. Proteas’ first innings came to an end when he was dismissed, giving Australia a 74-run lead. Australia was ahead by 218 runs at 144/8 by stumps on Day 2.