Rule change forces a re-think from Smith

Australia captain Steve Smith says the recent revamp of the Decision Review System has changed the way he uses his challenges on the field.

As of October 1 this year, teams no longer have their allocation of referrals refreshed every 80 overs and instead have just two incorrect calls for the duration of the batting team’s innings. However, should an lbw referral be a line-ball decision that results in an 'Umpire’s Call', the referring team does not lose a review should the decision go against them.

Smith was visibly frustrated on day four when he burned both of his referrals in the space of three balls and left his side without the option of using the DRS for the remainder of the match.

The Australian skipper consults the bowler, wicketkeeper and the point fielder – often veteran Nathan Lyon – before ultimately making the final call on whether to review a decision. 

But he conceded the tweak to the rule has left him second guessing himself when it comes to using the DRS.

"Your thinking changes a little bit now that with the Umpire's Call and whether you keep it or if it's missing you lose it," Smith said.

"It’s a tough one. I certainly think my thought process around it has changed a little bit.

"Sometimes there’s more hope and if it's just touching the stumps, we’re alright.

"It's an interesting one that I can in particular continue to work on and get as consistent as I can."

Having set England a record 354 runs to win, Australia had the tourists 3-108 in the 42nd over when Pat Cummins cut skipper Joe Root in half with a searing inswinger.

After Australia's appeal for a catch behind was turned down by New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffaney, Smith opted for a review, but third umpire Marais Erasmus found no evidence of an inside edge.

Two balls later, Smith signalled for a review again when paceman Josh Hazlewood pinned left-hander Dawid Malan from around the wicket but was ruled not out by Pakistan’s Aleem Dar. Ball tracking technology revealed the ball would have sailed over middle stump and Australia’s second and final review was gone.

Fortunately for Smith, his high-octane bowling attack ran through England’s misfiring batting order the following day to wrap up a 120-run second Test win as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-match Magellan Ashes. 

Seven of the 17 DRS referrals in the match were overturned by the third umpire, but England captain Joe Root sympathised with the on-field after play.

"It's a very difficult job, I think it is," Root said.

"There were a number of decisions overturned, it was strange, a few where we were out in the middle in the field and we thought that it's just regulation ... out. And similarly, when I was batting, I thought the only thing saving me when I left that one was it was pitching outside leg. And I saw it on the screen pitch in line, but to see it go over was a bit of a surprise.

"So I think that it's easy to criticise the umpires and it's easy to make excuses, but it's a very difficult job and just like players you have good and bad days.

"There is always going to be those questions asked about DRS; is the technology in the right place? Could it be better?

"We are where we are with it and we have to get on with it because it's there for this series and if we moan and use it as an excuse then it's not going to help us.

"We have just got to try and eliminate the chance of it going against us." 

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

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