NEW DELHI: The Ashes 2025-26 saw its first controversy on the second day of the opening Test in Perth when Jamie Smith was given out caught behind on review.

The incident unfolded in the 28th over of England's second innings when Smith attempted to pull a short delivery drifting down the leg side from debutant Brendan Doggett.

Close-in fielder Travis Head immediately reacted, claiming he had heard a faint nick, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey joined in with an emphatic appeal. On-field umpire Nitin Menon initially turned the appeal down, but Australia captain Steve Smith wasted no time in sending the decision upstairs for review.

What followed were chaotic scenes as TV umpire Sharfuddoula took four minutes to review the dismissal over-and-over to determine if Smith's glove or bat touched a delivery from Doggett as it carried down the legside to the wicketkeeper.

He eventually asked Menon to overturn his original decision, and Smith was given out.

The decision did not go down well with England supporters, who responded with loud boos and visible frustration from the stands.

England were bowled out for 164 in their second innings, with Mitchell Starc completing a 10-wicket match haul, including a career-best 7-58 in the first innings. That set Australia a target of 205 for victory, with three days and one session still remaining on Saturday.

England lost three wickets without scoring in a momentum-shifting spell after lunch and slumped to 104-7 before Gus Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse (20) put on 50 in quick time to ensure a 200-plus chase for the Aussies.

Australia got off to a flying start in their chase, racing to 75/1 in 12 overs at the time of writing this story.