Perth: There was more DRS controversy as Australia edged closer to regaining the Ashes on the second day of the third Ashes Test against England at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
In reply to the home team’s first innings total of 385, the tourists were 180 for four at stumps on the second day, with Ian Bell on nine (from 62 balls) and Ben Stokes on 14, still trailing by 205 runs.
Australia lead the series 2-0 after wins in Brisbane and Adelaide, and can regain the Ashes with a win in Perth.
Although in-form pacemen Mitchell Johnson went wicketless despite generating express pace, all of the other Australian bowlers used took a wicket each as several English batsmen failed to build on promising starts and the effectiveness of the controversial Decision Review System was again called into question.
The home team struck two key blows in the final session of the day, removing England captain Alastair Cook (72) and dangerous batsman Kevin Pietersen (19) in quick succession.
England were progressing steadily, if slowly, at 136-2, with Cook, who was dropped on three, grinding his way back into form.
However, the left-hander then inexplicably cut a Nathan Lyon delivery straight to David Warner at backward point for a soft dismissal.
Pietersen was showing unusual caution at the crease and it took him 49 balls to reach double figures.
However, Australian quick Peter Siddle continued his dominance over the tall right-hander when he lured him into an ugly pull shot that was well caught by Mitchell Johnson at mid-on.
It was the 10th time Siddle had claimed Pietersen’s wicket in Test cricket, having also dismissed him twice in Adelaide in the second Test.
England got off to a solid start through openers Michael Carberry (43) and Cook, the pair riding their luck a little as they built their partnership.
DRS again became the centre of attention with the dismissal of Joe Root, who was adjudged caught behind off the bowling of Shane Watson.
Root was adamant he hadn’t snicked the delivery and immediately challenged the decision, but third umpire Tony Hill ruled the replays were inconclusive and umpire Marais Erasmus’s initial verdict stood.
Hot Spot did not show any contact between bat and ball, and neither did the video footage.
However, there was a faint noise as the ball passed the bat, but it may have been Root hitting his pad, as appeared to be evidenced on hot spot. (AFP)
SCORECARD
C Rogers run out 11
D Warner c Carberry b Swann 60
S Watson c Swann b Broad 18
M Clarke c Cook b Swann 24
S Smith c Prior b Anderson 111
G Bailey c Pietersen b Broad 7
B Haddin c Anderson b Stokes 55
M Johnson c Prior b Broad 39
P Siddle c Prior b Bresnan 21
R Harris c Root b Anderson 12
N Lyon not out 17
Extras: (lb-6, w-3, nb-1) 10
Total: (all out; 103.3 overs) 385
FOW: 1-13, 2-52, 3-106, 4-129, 5-143, 6-267, 7-326, 8-338, 9-354
Bowling: Anderson 23-5-60-2, Broad 22-2-100-3, Bresnan 23.3-4-81-1, Stokes 17-3-63-1, Swann 17-0-71-2, Root 1-0-4-0
England 1st inn:
A Cook c Warner b Lyon 72
M Carberry b Harris 43
J Root c Haddin b Watson 4
K Pietersen c Johnson b Siddle 19
I Bell not out 9
B Stokes not out 14
Extras: (b-10, lb-3, w-5, nb1) 19
Total: (4 wkts; 68 overs) 180
FOW: 1-85, 2-90, 3-136, 4-146
Bowling: Harris 15-7-26-1, Johnson 15-6-43-0, Watson 9-2-32-1, Siddle 13-5-27-1, Lyon 16-6-39-1
