To make every decision with precision, there are lot of technology are being used in modern day cricket. But, does the technology making correct decisions all the time? The question erupts after a controversial moment in the first Test in the ongoing Australia vs England The Ashes series.
The first match of the 2025-26 Ashes series between Australia and England was played at Optus Stadium in Perth. Australia won by 8 wickets. Set a target of 205 runs, Australia achieved it thanks to a century from Travis Head. The match ended in just two days.
Why there is controversy?
A major controversy erupted during the Perth Test when England wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith was given out by the third umpire in the second innings. Smith missed a pull on the first ball from Brendan Doggett, which was going wide of leg stump, in the 28th over of England’s innings. The gap between the bat and the ball was minimal.
The controversial moment
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
The Australian players appealed for caught behind, but on-field umpire Nitin Menon immediately declared it not out. The Australian team then took a review, and this is where the situation became complicated. Third umpire Sharfud-ud-Daula Saikat resorted to RTS (Real Time Snicko). A slight spike was visible on the RTS, but only after the ball had already passed the bat.
Normally, on-field decisions are not overturned in such cases, as the third umpire requires clear and convincing evidence. However, after watching the replays for a long time, the third umpire overturned the decision, declaring Jamie Smith out. As soon as the decision appeared on the screen, the English fans at Perth Stadium were furious and began booing.
controversial decision, stating that there was a difference between the RTS technology used in Australia and the Ultra-Edge technology used in other countries. Taufel said, “If a spike is visible on the RTS even one frame after the ball has passed the bat, it is considered an edge. The rules are clear; the correct decision was given in this case.”
