Mysterious case of the missing four runs

An eagle-eyed supporter has pointed out that Australia were incorrectly denied four runs during the controversial no-ball incident involving Adam Voges on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand.

The reprieve Voges was given when a Doug Bracewell delivery that had cannoned into his stumps was incorrectly ruled a no-ball was the major talking point of the match, with Voges adding a further 232 runs after the left-off as he guided Australia to a crushing victory.

During commentary on Monday's final day of the Test, which Australia won by an innings and 52 runs, former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith relayed a story of how an Australian fan had raised the issue of four runs that weren't with the host broadcaster's statistician.

Smith and co-commentator Grant Nisbett replayed the Voges incident from a wide angle and clearly showed that the ball ricocheted off the stumps and rolled down to the third-man boundary.

Amid the controversy of the incorrect no-ball ruling by Umpire Richard Illingworth, seemingly everyone - including the match officials - didn't notice that Australia should have been awarded four byes in addition to the one run they were given for the no-ball.

The irony of the incident - Australia could hardly complain given New Zealand were the ones dudded by the incorrect no-ball ruling - was not lost on Smith and Nisbett, with the latter jokingly labelling the incident "a travesty".

"They should really feel quite aggrieved," Smith joked.

"It just shows you in the confusion of what all happened about that, Mr Illingworth missed the end result of that delivery."

"It should have been four more. But then again, it should have been out.

Smith continued: "It's absolutely got me. I will not sleep tonight."

At least our cousins across the ditch were able to see the funny side.