NEW DELHI: After already witnessing a couple of controversial calls involving the Decision Review System (DRS) and Snicko, the Ashes series continued to make headlines with yet another contentious decision on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG on Friday.
The controversy erupted when England pacer Brydon Carse dismissed Mitchell Starc, who mistimed a lofted drive and was caught by Ben Stokes at mid-off. However, television replays suggested that Carse may have overstepped, sparking debate over the decision.
Stokes takes great catch to remove Starc but did Carse bowl no-ball? - Brydon Carse takes the wicket of Mitchell Starc after replays showed the England bowler narrowly avoided his foot being over the line, as Australia fall to 152-8 on day one of the fou… https://t.co/ivVGaPQRJL pic.twitter.com/9f3c5GvbCA
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Third umpire Ahsan Raza reviewed the bowler's front foot as Starc made his way back to the pavilion, but eventually upheld the on-field decision in England's favour.
The call triggered an immediate backlash on social media, with fans questioning the accuracy of the review. Even former Australia batter Mark Waugh expressed doubts, suggesting the evidence was far from conclusive that the bowler had remained behind the line.
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"I cannot see how he's got any part of that shoe behind the line, unless my eyes are gone. I can't pay that ... I can't see it," Waugh said in commentary.
"That's tighter than a second coat of paint. At first point of contact, I can't see that is behind that white line; any part of his heel. It masquerades a terrific bit of cricket by Carse himself, and the captain Ben Stokes (with) the strategy to promote (Starc) with that shot," former Australia spinner Kerry O'Keeffe added.
20 wickets fall on a record-breaking Day 1
Australia collapsed for 152 yet still claimed a 42-run lead over England on the first innings in a remarkable opening day of the fourth Ashes Test Friday in which 20 wickets fell.
The day's play unfolded before a world-record crowd for a day of cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The attendance figure of 94,199 beat the 93,013 for the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG.
Australia were 4-0 in their second innings at stumps, an overall lead of 46 runs, after having to bat through one nervous over before stumps.
The 20 wickets on the first day was also a record for a Boxing Day Test, beating the 18 in the 1998 Ashes match. The all-time Test record is 27 for the 1888 Ashes Test at Lord's.
