England stung by DRS controversy, yet again

ENGLAND captain Joe Root vented his frustrations after opener Mark Stoneman became the latest victim of a controversial DRS decision during the third Test against Australia at the WACA Ground.

Australia’s shouts for caught behind were initially turned down by umpire Marais Erasmus during yesterday’s middle session.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine had taken a brilliant one-handed catch leaping into the air to spark Australia’s celebrations.

Australia was confident the Mitchell Starc delivery had glanced Stoneman’s glove, and captain Steve Smith decided to use one of his team’s reviews. For a decision to be overturned, there needs to be clear evidence that the wrong call was made.

But despite replays looking inconclusive and nothing notable showing up on Hot Spot, third umpire Aleem Dar reversed the decision.

Snicko displayed a faint sound as the ball passed Stoneman’s front glove. But given the space between visual frames, the sound might have come a fraction after passing the front glove.

Stoneman’s back glove was off the bat, meaning if it had struck that, it couldn’t have been given out.

When Dar reversed the de- cision, Stoneman started to trudge off. But confusion reigned as Root and assistant coach Paul Collingwood came out of the change room door, seemingly urging Stoneman to stay on the field in the hope the DRS decision would be reversed.

Stoneman hesitated for several seconds, wondering what to do, before eventually making his way off.

The 30-year-old had anchored the innings with 56 off 110 balls, and his dismissal left England vulnerable at 4-131.

The tourists progressed to 4-175 by tea.

“The England team feel aggrieved, you can see that from the dressing room,” former England captain Michael Vaugh- an said on the Nine Network commentary.

The day-night Test in Adelaide featured a series of decision review outcomes which puzzled both sides.

After the match, which Australia won, Root said there was no point in him whinging about the series of “strange” decisions.

Stoneman looked in good form, striking a half-century but was also struck in the head as Australia’s pacemen deployed a barrage of bouncers.

He was struck a fearsome blow in the grille of his helmet from a Josh Hazlewood bouncer. After receiving medical checks, Stoneman continued batting before he controversial dismissal for 56 a short time later.

After England went to lunch at 2-91, the tourists lost Root for 20 when the captain was caught down the legside from a rank Cummins delivery. And just five overs later when Stoneman was out, England had slipped from relative prelunch comfort of 1-89 to 4-131.

The tourists were then steadied by an unbroken partnership between Dawid Malan (42no) and Jonny Bairstow (13no). Veteran opener Alastair Cook, in his 150th Test, fell lbw to Starc for seven — he’s made only 69 runs at an average of 13.8 this series.

Stoneman and James Vince (25) put on 63 runs before the latter was caught by ‘ keeper Paine off Hazlewood.