Jamie Smith robbed!! Third umpire’s shocking 'out' decision creates controversy in Ashes 2025-26 opener
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The third umpire gave England wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith out after the on-field umpire did not rule him out, but the snicko showed a glitch as it did not match the ball's frame.
The Ashes is known to bring along immense cricket action and drama on the field. A controversial decision from the third umpire has further made the rounds on social media. England's batting marked a horrible collapse in the second innings as well, as it was further stirred up with the dismissal of Jamie Smith.
Despite suffering a horrible collapse, the Three Lions managed to take a 200-run lead. Moreover, Mitchell Starc, the star Australian pacer, was dubbed the finest bowler on show for the Aussies for his 10-wicket haul.
Jamie Smith's unconventional dismissal
Jamie Smith tried to glance a ball that was going down leg; he was given not out by the field umpire, and the decision was reviewed by the Aussies. The DRS was a record-long review, as Jamie Smith's was ultimately given out caught behind.
The snicko showed a small blip, but the time at which it occurred did not quite align with the frame of the ball passing Smith's bat. The ball might have just been deviated, though. However, England fans are surely not pleased with the decision of the third umpire.
Jamie Smith started to walk before coming back after this hotly discussed moment. So what's your call here?#Ashes | #DRSChallenge | @Westpac pic.twitter.com/FpiqM6U6uM
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 22, 2025
Simon Taufel justifies the third umpire's decision
Simon Taufel on the third umpire's decision to give Jamie Smith out (as quoted by 7Cricket):
"The conclusive evidence protocols with RTS - if you get a spike up to one frame past the bat, that is conclusive. And in this particular case, that is exactly what was there.
"Unfortunately, he didn't want to pull the trigger quite as quickly as perhaps he could have or should have. And the guys in the truck were doing their utmost to show him and to slow it down and to try rocking and rolling that frame.
"For me, the correct decision was made. A spike RTS after one frame past the bat, the batter has got to go."
Australia send in Travis Head as they revamp the opening pair for the second innings
The Australian team came in to bat with Jake Wetherald, the debutant, in the second innings as well. However, unlike the first innings, Marnus Labuschagne was not sent at the top of the order. Rather, white-ball opener Travis Head was promoted.
Travis Head opened the innings to give the innings an early momentum after England set the target of 205 runs for the Australians to win the first Ashes Test. The Aussies were bowled out for just 132 in their first innings, and hence a target of 200 seems challenging to the former WTC champions.
ALSO READ: Mitchell Starc destroys Joe Root, Ben Stokes in both innings of Ashes opener, bags 10-fer in Perth
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