South Africa batter David Bedingham found himself at the centre of a rare and controversial moment during the World Test Championship final against Australia, surviving an appeal for handling the ball - now classified as obstructing the field.

The incident took place when Australia's Beau Webster bowled a length delivery that Bedingham defended with a faint inside edge. The ball deflected off his pads and dropped close to his feet. As it hovered near the pitch, wicketkeeper Alex Carey rushed forward, attempting to take a catch.

In an instinctive reaction, Bedingham bent down and scooped the ball away from his body with his hand before it hit the ground.

Umpires Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney discussed the appeal before ruling Bedingham not out. Their decision was based on MCC Law 37.3.1, which states that a batter is out obstructing the field if they willfully prevent a fielder from making a play - including a catch - using the hand or body. Since 2017, "handling the ball" is no longer a standalone dismissal and is instead considered under this law.

While Bedingham clearly made contact with the ball using his hand, the umpires determined there was no deliberate intent to obstruct Carey.

The moment drew comparisons to Michael Vaughan's dismissal against India in 2001 - one of the few instances of a batter being given out for handling the ball in Test cricket. However, Vaughan's case fell under the older version of the law, which did not require proof of intent.

In Bedingham's case, the emphasis was on whether he had willfully interfered. With no clear obstruction found, the South African batter was allowed to continue.

• If the delivery is not a no ball, the striker is out Obstructing the Field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker from being out caught.

Also relevant are Laws 20.1, which pertain to when a ball becomes dead:

20.1 Ball is dead

• 20.1.1 The ball becomes dead when
• 20.1.1.1 it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or of the bowler.
• 20.1.1.2 a boundary is scored.
  See Law 19.7 (Runs scored from boundaries).
• 20.1.1.3 a batter is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal.
• 20.1.1.4 whether played or not it becomes trapped between the bat and person of a batter or between items of his/her clothing or equipment.
• 20.1.1.5 whether played or not it lodges in the clothing or equipment of a batter or the clothing of an umpire.
• 20.1.1.6 under either of Laws 24.4 (Player returning without permission) or 28.2 (Fielding the ball) there is an offence resulting in an award of Penalty runs.
  The ball shall not count as one of the over.
• 20.1.1.7 there is contravention of Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
• 20.1.1.8 the match is concluded in any of the ways stated in Law 12.9 (Conclusion of match).
• 20.1.2 The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler's end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play

Video footage showed the ball briefly trapped between Bedingham's thighs before rolling onto his pad flap. As Carey closed in, Bedingham grabbed the ball and threw it down - an instinctive move that raised eyebrows.

Australia's players, including Usman Khawaja, sought a review, while Carey and the rest of the team exchanged wry smiles, aware of the delicate nature of the call. After discussion, umpire Illingworth signalled a dead ball, allowing Bedingham to continue his innings.

Many questioned whether the ball had truly come to rest, arguing that it was not dead and that Bedingham's action could have warranted dismissal. The umpires' decision to let play continue reflected the fine balance between applying the letter of the law and respecting the spirit of the game.

The incident inevitably drew comparisons to a similar Carey-involved controversy from the 2023 Ashes - the stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's - which went Australia's way but sparked intense debate.

With Bedingham not out, South Africa stand at 121 for 5, trailing by 91 runs.