The decision review system (DRS) controversy has continued to plague the Australian team in the Ashes as another batting collapse, helped by the dismissal of captain Michael Clarke, left the team on the path to defeat in the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, amid further umpiring drama, Australia has only the tail to bat and no more DRS challenges in case of emergencies on the final day after losing three wickets, including that of the captain and best batsman, for three runs in 18 balls and making 6-174 on the fourth day of the Test.
The DRS fiasco started when Clarke had to go for 23 despite using the last challenge after Stuart Broad launched an appeal for caught behind to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, when umpire Aleem Dar gave him out after checking with the TV umpire, and the report added that even the Hot Spot review failed to save Clarke.
However, Clarke has defended trying his luck under the DRS, which has taken on a life of its own in this Ashes contest, saying that he was not sure as to whether he had hit the ball or not, adding that he and his partner Steve Smith though that they had made the right decision as they could not see anything on the big screen.
According to the skipper, he had advised his men to back their judgement if they feel that they are not out and move on if the review does not go their way, although he drew a line under the Broad incident, saying that even though his team would have liked him out, they have accepted the decision as such things are a part of the game.
Along with Clarke, Shane Watson, Chris Rogers and Phillip Hughes also fell victims to unfavourable DRS calls, with Watson leaving the field cursing before dismissal that was upheld by the TV umpire despite Hawkeye showing only a fraction of the ball hitting the stumps, and Rogers dismissed in similar circumstances in the first innings.
The report further said that England also launched a successful review that cost Hughes his wicket, LBW to Graeme Swann, because more than half the ball pitched in line with leg stump.
Also Read
However, Clarke refused to use to these succession of unfavourable DRS calls as an excuse for Australia's dire position in the match, even though the report said that his players might be losing faith in the rules governing DRS, which give the benefit of the doubt to the umpire rather than the batsman.
Intended to correct umpiring howlers, the system has become an influential player in the series and its application at Trent Bridge has also reinforced inconsistencies in the system, the report added.