‘WTF, you are kidding’: Aussies dudded by Ashes technology ‘farce’

Cricket fans couldn’t believe their eyes late on the final day of the second Ashes Test, claiming the Aussies had been robbed blind by technology.

Not everything went Australia’s way. Photo: Fox Cricket/Kayo.

Australia didn’t have much to complain about in Adelaide as it crushed England by 275 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes but not everything went the hosts’ way.

The tourists put up some stern resistance as Jos Buttler soaked up more than 200 deliveries before stepping on his stumps, making Australia toil for longer than many anticipated before taking the necessary 10th wicket of the innings.

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Nathan Lyon was one of the Aussies’ best in the South Australian capital, even though he didn’t pick up a big bag of wickets, and cricket fans thought he was unlucky not to have Stuart Broad’s measure when technology conspired against him.

Bowling from around the wicket to the left-hander, Lyon struck Broad’s front pad when the fast bowler shouldered arms and didn’t offer a shot. The Aussies appealed but the umpire kept his finger down, so they reviewed.

The Decision Review System (DRS) showed the ball was travelling over the top of the stumps and Broad survived — but plenty of viewers and commentators were stunned at the technology predicting the ball would bounce so high.

Close but no cigar. Photo: Fox Cricket/Kayo.

Even the Aussie players were shocked. “There’s no way that’s going over,” one of them was heard saying, as Marnus Labuschagne and Lyon voiced their disbelief.

Shane Warne told Fox Cricket: “Jeez it’s bounced a lot, from that full?”

Commentating on Triple M, Gus Worland said “DRS is kidding itself” while Izzy Westbury added: “I think that’s ridiculous, and I’m English!”

Former Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry was furious, calling it the “Diabolical Review System”.

“DRS give me a break what a joke going over is a disgrace,” Berry tweeted. “It’s wrong I’ve said it before & will say it again.”

Sports journalist Bernie Coen tweeted: “Bouncing over the stumps WTF!!! U r kidding!! DRS is a farce sometimes. If that was going over the stumps I’m a supermodel.”

NSW bowling coach Andre Adams added: “DRS hahahahahahaaaaaaa.”

Jake Buckley wrote: “DRS think this pitch is a trampoline or something what the hell is that bounce? That’s plumb.”

DRS has been fined 100% of its match fee for this 'over the stumps' decision. #Ashespic.twitter.com/dxkd4fEZru

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) December 20, 2021