Quantcast

Confusion reigns after Marsh's review

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and former Australia pair Michael Clarke and Michael Slater question DRS process on day three at the SCG

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow has expressed misgivings over the decision review system after Mitch Marsh’s successful review on day three, saying it would affect “careers and livelihoods”.

Confusion reigned after Australia allrounder Marsh was given not out following a successful review of an lbw call late on the third day of the fifth Magellan Ashes Test at the SCG. 

Wide World of Sports commentators Michael Clarke and Michael Slater both declared there was no bat involved after third umpire S Ravi, who justified his decision by communicating there was an inside edge to on-field umpire Joel Wilson, allowed Marsh to continue his stay at the crease in the third session.

Wilson had given Marsh out lbw to Tom Curran before the right-hander appealed and overturned the call with Australia 4-466.

Mitchell Marsh pummels England for SCG fifty

While replays later confirmed the ball was missing leg stump anyway – meaning the decision to give Marsh not out was ultimately correct – Clarke and Slater both had issues with the process.

HotSpot appeared to show a faint edge on the bat of Marsh, who was on 55 at the time, while there was also a small spike on Snicko, but whether that matched up with the ball as it passed the bat is a point of conjecture.

England’s players appeared perplexed after the decision was handed down, which added to their frustration during a tough day in the field.

'I thought he bowled nicely:' Bairstow

“When it comes to all the technology it’s important that moving forward for all the teams there’s real clarity on the actual process and how the review system works,” Bairstow said after play on day three. 

“That’s getting HawkEye matching up to the TV images, getting Snicko right, because it can pick up moving feet and people scratching around the crease and other stuff.

“We are aware there are two different systems in place around the world and it’s about making sure there is clarity on how those systems work for us as players out in the middle. 

“When you see the spike on the graph and one system is allowed one frame before, but the other system has one frame after, and you don’t know which system is in place, that can be very frustrating – especially when you are toiling very hard for a long period of time.

“That’s all we want as players. The technology is there to be used but we need to make sure it’s of the highest standard because it’s people’s careers and livelihoods you are messing with. 

“It is a frustration not knowing the exact rulings and how it’s used.”

Day wrap: Khawaja sets up Marshes run-fest

Former Australia skipper Clarke insisted there was no bat involved, adamant Marsh had “missed it by an inch”.

“There’s nothing on Hot Spot and then the mark on Snicko, in my opinion, is before it gets to the bat,” he said.

“The decision’s right (due to the fact the delivery was missing leg stump on ball tracking), but I don’t think he’s hit that at all.”

Magnificent Marsh two away from Ashes century

Slater said: “I didn’t see an edge on that. I saw Snicko have a pick up of something prior to the ball passing the bat, so I really don’t think there was an edge there.

“But what I do feel is the ball was going to go on and miss leg stump, and we haven’t seen that yet.”

Australia was in a commanding position at stumps as they chase a 4-0 series triumph, powering to 4-479 in reply to England’s 346.

Mitch was on 63 not out at the close of play, while his brother Shaun was unbeaten on 98 and on the verge of his sixth Test century.

Summer of Smith continues with SCG fifty

The pair has put on an unbroken 104-run stand for the fifth wicket, marking the first time they have combined for a century stand at Test level. 

In-form Mitch Marsh is averaging 141 this series, while Shaun has been a model of consistency in the middle order, averaging 77.40.

Both players are seeking their second tons of the series, with Shaun hammering an unbeaten 126 in Adelaide and Mitch smashing 181 in Perth after earning a recall to the Test side following his recovery from a shoulder injury and eye-catching form in the JLT Sheffield Shield.

Earlier, Usman Khawaja passed three figures for the sixth time at Test level, making 171 before he was stumped by Bairstow off the bowling off Mason Crane, ending his long wait for his first wicket at the elite level.

Khawaja's brilliant maiden Ashes century reaches 171

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, Ashton Agar.

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 Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, drawn. Scorecard

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