Mark Stoneman tried to survive the bouncy Perth Test pitch on Day 1 of the third Ashes 2017-18 Test. But finally, Stoneman got out in a controversial manner which has raised doubts over Decision Review System (DRS) once again. Stoneman, after scoring his third Test fifty, got out to a bouncer from Mitchell Starc. Tim Paine took the catch and the Australian team celebrated the wicket in the 38th over of the first innings, however, the on-field umpire Marais Erasmus thought otherwise. Australian skipper Steven Smith immediately asked for the review.
After numerous replays of hotspot and Snickometer, third umpire Aleem Dar overturned the decision of the on-field umpire despite not having conclusive evidence. Not just Stoneman but English skipper Joe Root was left baffled by the decision as he punched a door in the dressing room.
Here’s the video of the dismissal. Watch and decide –
Plenty of debate after that review! Thoughts? #Ashes @Gillette #CloseMatters pic.twitter.com/NozC4L6O8T
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 14, 2017
Tim Paine discusses his brilliant catch on day one and the DRS drama that followed #Ashes pic.twitter.com/DS34w1Zydx
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 14, 2017
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan had his say on the DRS controversy too –
On the Stoneman dismissal … Understand all England’s fans anger as no way was there enough evidence with the initial replays to overturn the decision .. But once all the replays had been seen it was clear to me to be Out … #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 14, 2017
ALSO READ: Josh Hazlewood breaks Mark Stoneman’s helmet after dropped catch in Perth Test — WATCH
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting reacted to the controversy as well while talking on BT Sport.
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. They’re out on the balcony complaining about the decision (but) as it’s turned out, it was the right call. Stoneman’s three-quarters of the way off, knowing probably in his own heart of hearts that he’s got a glove on it. Then he’s been told that he has to go back out … he thinks he’s out and then suddenly he’s back in. It’s a horrible look for the game.
ALSO READ: Away from Ashes 2017 action, Ben Stokes hits a 47-ball 93 in a T20 match in New Zealand — WATCH
Stoneman got out after scoring 56 runs from 110 balls including 10 boundaries. Despite two early wickets, England came on top at the end of Day 1’s play. Dawid Malan scored his second Test century (110 runs from 174 balls) whereas Jonny Bairstow scored 75 runs from 149 balls, justifying the decision of promoting him up in the batting order. At Day 1 stumps, England were 301 for 4.
