The third umpire gave England wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith out after the on-field umpire did not give him out, but the snick was found to be in error as it did not match the frame of the ball.
The Ashes is known for bringing immense cricket action and drama on the field. A controversial decision of the third umpire is in discussion on social media. England’s batting also collapsed catastrophically in the second innings, as Jamie Smith’s dismissal added to the chaos.
Despite the dreadful collapse, the Three Lions managed to take a lead of 200 runs. Additionally, star Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc was named the best bowler of the Australian team for his 10 wickets.
Jamie Smith’s unconventional dismissal
Jamie Smith tried to spot a ball that was going down leg; The field umpire gave him not out and the Australian team reviewed the decision. The DRS was a record-long review, as Jamie Smith was eventually given out caught.
The snicko showed a small blip, but the time at which it occurred was not exactly aligned with the frame of the ball passing off Smith’s bat. However, the ball may have gone astray. However, England fans are definitely not happy with the third umpire’s decision.
Jamie Smith started to walk away before turning back after this heatedly discussed moment. So what is your calling here?#ash , #DRSChallenge , @Westpac pic.twitter.com/FpiqM6U6uM
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 22 November 2025
Simon Taufel justified the third umpire’s decision
Simon Taufel on the third umpire’s decision to give out Jamie Smith (quoted by 7Cricket):
“The conclusive evidence protocol with RTS – if you get a spike right off the bat a frame, it’s conclusive. And in this particular case, that’s exactly what it was.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t want to pull the trigger as quickly as he probably should have or should have pulled. And the guys in the truck were trying their best to show him up and slow him down and try to get that frame to move and turn it around.
“For me, the right decision was taken. A spike RTS after one frame of the bat, the batsman has to go.”
Australia sent Travis Head to improve the opening pair for the second innings.
The Australian team also came to bat in the second innings with debutant Jake Weatherald. However, unlike the first innings, Marnus Labuschagne was not sent to the top of the order. Rather, white-ball opening batsman Travis Head was promoted.
Travis Head opened the innings and paced the innings after England set Australia a target of 205 to win the first Ashes Test. The Australian team was all out for just 132 runs in its first innings and hence the target of 200 looks challenging for the former WTC champions.
Also read: Mitchell Starc demolishes Joe Root, Ben Stokes in both innings of Ashes opener, achieves 10-for in Perth
