Third umpire should have more say: Smith

Australia captain Steve Smith has accepted his controversial dismissal in Sunday's third ODI but admitted he is not a fan of the decision-making process that delivered the outcome.

Smith was ruled caught behind by England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler from the bowling of Mark Wood, a catch that was taken in the fingertips of gloveman.

Buttler went up immediately claiming the catch and while Smith was ready to walk off, the on-field umpires sought the aid of third umpire Kumar Dharmasena to make certain of the dismissal.

The on-field officials gave Dharmasena a 'soft signal' of out, which represents their thoughts on the wicket, and after a forensic cross examination of the available angles and replays, the on-field decision stood and Smith was on his way for 45.

Australia would end up losing the match by 16 runs and with it surrender the Gillette ODI Series with two matches to spare.

Smith appeared visibly frustrated as he left the field to the SCG changerooms and said after the match he would prefer the third umpire have total control over contentious catches in the future.

"I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the ruling with the soft signal," Smith said after play.

"That's obviously the ruling at the moment. It's hard to overturn anything.

"We've seen a few this summer that have been pretty similar. If the fielder goes up and celebrates they usually get given out and if you're a bit apprehensive of what's happened they normally get given not out and it's hard for them to overturn the decision.

"I'd actually like for the third umpire to have to make the decision, whether it's out or not."

Smith found an unusual ally in the form of Ashes rival and England Test spearhead James Anderson.

"It's a real tough one," Anderson said on Optus Sport's Stumps program. "I agree with Steve (Smith), the soft signal is a massive indicator in these things.

"For me, when I first saw it, it looked a little bit dodgy, but they always do and there didn't seem to be a really clear-cut angle.

"So I think in that situation the third umpire had to stay with the on-field soft decision of out."

Test great Glenn McGrath said he's comfortable with the umpires using a soft signal as long it's based on their opinion and not influenced by the players.

"The umpires out in the middle, if they gave it out because they thought it was out, I have no issue," McGrath said on Stumps.

"But if they gave it out because of the reaction of Buttler, I'm not so happy.

"But if they go the soft decision of, 'Out, and we'll just have a look', that seals it. It's a tough one."

Perhaps the most important player in the entire episode is Buttler, who was confident he latched on to the opportunity.

"I was pretty sure it was out," Buttler said.

"I think any wicketkeeper would tell you that you've got your finger underneath it.

"They always look a bit either way on TV, but for me, it's out."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI England won by five wickets at the MCG

Second ODI England won by four wickets at the Gabba

Third ODI England won by 16 runs at the SCG

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

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

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