Australia’s DRS struggles continue at The Oval

A candid Tim Paine concedes he and his side are "having a (night)mare" using the Decision Review System after another day of missed opportunities.

On day three at The Oval, Paine chose not to refer two lbw decisions that would have been overturned and delivered key wickets as England piled on the runs and extended their lead into record territory in the fifth Test.

Paine has struggled with the DRS during the series, which came into the spotlight in the dramatic closing stages of the Headingley Test, where he wasted Australia's final review an over before Nathan Lyon would have had the rampaging Ben Stokes out lbw had the tourists had a referral available.

Australia's record with the DRS this campaign, combining in the field and while batting, now stands at six successful reviews from 32 attempts.

Paine was asked about his latest troubles with the DRS on Saturday evening and joked he might have to go back to school as a last resort to reverse his fortune.

"I'm going to do some umpiring school when I get home," Paine said, tongue firmly in cheek. "I'll enroll in a Level 3 umpire course and see if can get them right.

Paine continued: "I'm getting it wrong. I don't know what else to say. We're having a 'mare. We've got it wrong.

"We're not deliberately getting together and saying 'gee, I reckon that's out Gaz. Do you want to refer it?' 'Nah, let's let him keep batting'.

"We're getting it wrong. It happens. It's fast. It's a tough job.

"As I said I've said throughout the whole Test series, I've got a new respect for umpiring, particularly in Test cricket, because it's a bloody hard job.  

"For years players have whinged about umpiring and now we've got it in our own hands a little bit and we're finding that it's hard."

In the afternoon session, allrounder Mitch Marsh struck Joe Denly on the back pad with an inswinger when he was on 54, while Lyon wrapped Jos Buttler on the pads while on 19 after tea.

Both deliveries prompted huge appeals but were turned down by the standing umpires, and after a consolation between wicketkeeper Paine and the bowler, the visiting skipper decided against a review.  

To the frustration of Paine and coach Justin Langer watching on from the away team dressing room, ball-tracking showed three red lights indicating the on-field decision was incorrect and a review would have reversed the outcome.

Denly would go on to make a career-best 94, while Buttler added another 28 runs as England finished day three on 8-313, a lead of 382 runs. 

Denly said after play he had a gut feeling he was in trouble when Marsh struck him on the back pad, but would have sent the decision upstairs regardless.

"As a batter, when you get hit on the pad you have a feeling straightaway if it’s close and I thought that was pretty close," Denly said.

"Thankfully Marais (Erasmus, standing umpire) didn't put his finger up.  

"If he had given it out, I probably would've reviewed it."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia won by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Second Test: Match drawn at Lord's

Third Test: England won by one wicket at Headingley

Fourth Test: Australia won by 185 runs at Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval