Tourists reportedly lodge official complaint about Decision Review System process in third Ashes Test
England complain after DRS controversy
England have made an official complaint after the controversial dismissal of opener Mark Stoneman in this third Magellan Ashes Test.
UK newspaper The Mirror is reporting skipper Joe Root has spoken to the match referee Sir Richie Richardson not so much about the fact that Stoneman was dismissed, but rather the method by which the decision was made by third umpire Aleem Dar.
On Thursday, Stoneman was given not out on the field but that decision was quickly reversed after a review, leaving Root visibly frustrated by the outcome. The skipper backhanded the changeroom door in the visitors' viewing area as he and his teammates looked perplexed at the decision.
While extensive replays indicated the correct decision was ultimately reached, The Mirror is reporting the fact Dar reversed the on-field decision so quickly and after viewing only a handful of replays has left the tourists disenchanted with the review process.
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.
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 the ball passed the glove that was off the bat.
Third umpire Aleem Dar ruled there was conclusive evidence and overturned Erasmus’s on-field decision and Stoneman was on his way.
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.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the reaction 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."
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