Australia successfully review for a catch behind with the decision causing plenty of debate on day one in Perth
Stoneman given out in DRS controversy
England opener Mark Stoneman was at the centre of a Decision Review System controversy on day one in Perth after he was given out by the third umpire caught behind for 56.
Stoneman gloved a searing Mitchell Starc bouncer through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine who took a spectacular leaping catch above his head, but was initially given not out by standing umpire Marais Erasmus.
Utterly convinced Stoneman had gloved the ball, the Australians celebrated and captain Steve Smith immediately called for a review.
Replays showed Stoneman fending in front his face but as the ball passed by his bottom hand came off the bat.
At the same time, Real Time Snicko displayed a spike of noise as ball passed the glove that was off the bat.
But third umpire Aleem Dar ruled there was conclusive evidence and overturned Erasmus’s on-field decision and Stoneman was on his way after spending 176 minutes at the crease.
When the decision was reversed, England captain Joe Root appeared visibly frustrated by the outcome, backhanding the changeroom door in the visitors’ dressing room.
As the left-hander left the field, broadcast commentary believed the third umpire was reviewing the review, but the ‘out’ decision stood and he left the playing field.
However, further replays and angles after Stoneman had left the middle vindicated Dar's decision, with the ball grazing the batsman's top hand with an RTS spike confirming contact.
On the Stoneman dismissal ... Understand all England’s fans anger as no way was there enough evidence with the initial replays to overturn the decision .. But once all the replays had been seen it was clear to me to be Out ... #Ashes— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2017
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the carry on from the England dressing room had made them "look silly" and was "a horrible look for the game".
"The thing about the decision being made when it was as well, it’s actually made Joe Root and a lot of the England guys look silly," Ponting said on UK broadcaster BT Sport.
"They’re out on the balcony complaining about the decision (but) as it’s turned out, it was the right call.
"Stoneman’s three-quarters of the way off, knowing probably in his own heart of hearts that he’s got a glove on it. Then he’s been told that he has to go back out … he thinks he’s out and then suddenly he’s back in. It’s a horrible look for the game."
Earlier, Stoneman had survived a torrid spell of fast bowling from Josh Hazlewood.
The Australian quick found Stoneman’s edge in the 29th over but the chance was dropped at first slip by recalled opener Mitchell Marsh.
An over later, Hazlewood struck the opener in the side of the helmet with a leaping bouncer that required a pause in play and the attention of the England medical staff.
The following delivery was another hostile short ball that took the shoulder of Stoneman’s bat, looped to point and was dropped by a diving Nathan Lyon.
2017-18 International Fixtures
Magellan Ashes Series
Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.
England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.
First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard
Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard
Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets
Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets
Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets
Gillette ODI Series v England
First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets
Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets
Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets
Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets
Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets
Prime Minister's XI
PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets
Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series
First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets
Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets
Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets
Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14
Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16
Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18
Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21