Technology crisis: Ben Stokes’ overstepping exposes ash problem

There was an obvious wrong move from Ben Stokes, which cost England a wicket on the second morning of the Ashes series, giving Australia opener David Warner a reprieve at the age of 17.

It soon emerged that Stokes, bowling his first over in a Test match since March, had gone past the crease on his last three balls and was not called for a no-ball by the umpires.

Still later, Australia’s Ashes broadcaster Channel 7 revealed that Stokes had crossed the front crease 14 times in Thursday’s opening session and was called for a no-ball only twice.

Warner’s missed opportunity was a problem for Stokes and England. Revised Verdict: No ball. Warner got to play, a run added to the total – in every kind of column – and an extra delivery to be bowled in the over.

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But it exposed a bigger problem for the match officials.

Cricket Australia said a technical problem at the Gabba meant that the third umpire, Paul Wilson, could not review ball-by-ball TV replays to check whether bowlers were stepping over the crease. The on-field umpires were left to make up. Call. Wilson could only go on tape to assess no-balls when wickets were at stake.

Former Australia Test captain Ricky Ponting described it as “pathetic umpiring” during match commentary.

international Cricket The council is responsible for the implementation of a system that helps TV executives check no-balls. It didn’t work on Wednesday, when England were bowled out for 147 and then on the second day.

England bowling coach John Lewis said both teams have been made aware that TV umpires cannot assess every ball.

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Still, he thought the on-field umpires should have been more proactive with Stokes, who was limited to nine overs and figures of 0-50 including three no-balls.

“What a fast bowler needs is to have some sort of understanding of where his feet are,” Lewis said. “This is Ben’s first ball at this ground in eight years. They will need some feedback from the umpires, then to make adjustments.”

Lewis said that if the umpires had been active early, Stokes would have fixed his run-up before Warner came to the rescue.

In the end, Warner scored 94 runs and helped Australia reach 343-7 at the end of the second day, taking three wickets in the first innings to lead with a 196-run lead.

Before the rules change last year, it was standard practice for on-field umpires to notify bowlers when they were close to over-stepping and then to signal a no-ball.

England captain Joe Root, speaking to Fox Cricket in the early hours of Thursday, said it was “disappointing” to miss the opportunity against Warner.

“The fact that we are creating a good number of chances is really enjoyable,” he said. “We have to be confident… Have faith in what we’re doing and believe we’ll get rewards.”

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