Rule change burns wasteful Australia

Australia will not have the services of the Decision Review System for the remainder of the second Magellan Ashes Test after they burnt both their reviews in the space of three balls late on day four in Adelaide.

Having set England a record 354 runs to win, Australia had the tourists 3-108 in the 42nd over when Pat Cummins cut skipper Joe Root in half with a searing inswinger.

After Australia’s appeal for a catch behind was turned down by New Zealand umpire Chris Gaffaney, captain Steve Smith opted for a review, but third umpire Marais Erasmus found no evidence of an inside edge.

The on-field decision was upheld and Australia lost one of their two reviews.

Two balls later, Smith signaled for a review again when paceman Josh Hazlewood pinned left-hander Dawid Malan from around the wicket but was ruled not out by Pakistan’s Aleem Dar. Ball tracking technology revealed the ball would have sailed over middle stump and Australia’s second and final review was gone.

In the past, teams would have two unsuccessful reviews every 80 overs, with their reviews replenished after 80 overs.

But under the new International Cricket Council playing regulations introduced from October 1 this year, teams now only get two unsuccessful reviews for the entire innings.

But teams won’t lose a review if a marginal lbw decision results in an ‘Umpire’s Call’.

Smith had successfully used one review in the innings to remove ex-captain Alastair Cook lbw to Nathan Lyon having earlier not reviewed an appeal that would have seen the opener out leg before for one.

The second Test has seen a mixed performance by the standing officials.

Of the 15 decisions referred, seven have been upheld and eight overturned, with four unsuccessful reviews for each team.

Decisions, decisions

Australia First Innings

89.3: Shaun Marsh given out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision overturned on review.

91.4: Tim Paine given out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision overturned on review.

123.1: Shuan Marsh given not out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision upheld on review.

England First Innings

6.6: Mark Stoneman given out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision upheld on review.

21.3: Dawid Malan given out LBW by Umpire Aleem Dar. Decision overturned on review

76.1: James Anderson given out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision upheld on review.

Australia Second Innings

1.5: David Warner given not out caught by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision upheld on review.

18.4: Usman Khawaja given out LBW by Umpire Aleem Dar. Decision upheld on review.

20.1: Steve Smith given out LBW by Umpire Aleem Dar. Decision overturned on review.

23.2: Steve Smith given out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision upheld on review.

26.3: Peter Handscomb given out caught by Umpire Aleem Dar. Decision overturned on review.

England Second Innings

19.5: Alastair Cook given not out LBW by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision overturned on review.

36.6: Joe Root given out LBW by Umpire Aleem Dar. Decision overturned on review.

41.6: Joe Root given not out caught by Umpire Chris Gaffaney. Decision upheld on review.

42.2: Dawid Malan given not out LBW by Umpire Aleem Dar. Decision upheld on review.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21