'Embarrassing': Cricket world stunned after 'catastrophic' Ashes failure
Australia were surging in the first session of Day 4 of the Ashes opener, but a major power outage at the Gabba prompted coverage to go down around the world.
As viewers around the world tuned in to watch England's hopes fade in the heat of Brisbane, a 'catastrophic' power failure cut the feed to broadcasters around the world.
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The issue was put down to the heat causing electrical failures at the stadium.
During the outage one camera was showing the feed, which prompted many fans to joke it was like watching cricket back in the 60s.
Cricket Australia also confirmed DRS was not available for players or umpires as experts worked on the technology issue.
Fans around the world jumped on social media to make a joke about the unexpected issues affecting Day 4 of the Ashes.
While others were more critical of the situation, considering the Brisbane Test has been hampered by technical issues all week.
The Telegraph's Nick Hoult was critical of the decision to play the game in Queensland, due to the state's tough biosecurity restrictions.
"Seven cameras gone down now," he wrote.
"Commentators are covering the game off the tv because of quarantine rules so nobody knows what's happening. Test should never have been played in Queensland."
I can confirm there is still cricket happening at the Gabba. #Ashes
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 11, 2021
Its 2021 & with all the technological advancement, we can't get the Ashes on TV due to a "power issue" at the Gabba. This adds to no snicko tech & no technology for third umpires to detect no balls during this first Ashes Test. Embarrassing!#Ashes #Ashes2021 #Gabba #AUSvENG https://t.co/ADWYaNFa5b
— Kanishka Raj Singh (@Kanishka183) December 11, 2021
Was it Kerry Packer who said he didn't want to watch the wicketkeepers' arse? Huge power failure at the Gabba with one camera showing the action #Ashes2021 pic.twitter.com/cI5eP6x2Wt
— Tom Cowie 🐄 (@tom_cowie) December 11, 2021
Channel 7 have very good pictures from the Gabba now after 20+ minutes of carnage. Hat tip to those working on the tech in conditions that are clearly less than ideal
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) December 11, 2021
Seven cameras gone down now. Commentators are covering the game off the tv because of quarantine rules so nobody knows what's happening. Test should never have been played in Queensland
— Nick Hoult (@NHoultCricket) December 11, 2021
Oh my lord. DRS is not available now! This is a technical disaster at the Gabba. World feed down, DRS down, everything down down under. #Ashes2021 #Ashes #TheAshes
— Gareth Messenger (@G_Messenger) December 11, 2021
Power issues at Gabba listening to radio commentary feels like watching a game in 90s #Ashes2021 #AUSvENG
— Ab singh (@abrolbhupinder) December 11, 2021
Real 1960 Tied Test vibe about this Gabba camera angle. Very exciting. #ashes
— Matt Bevan (@MatthewBevan) December 11, 2021
Gabba power failure explained after carnage
Channel 7 reporter Alison Mitchell labelled the issue a 'catastrophic power failure".
Commentator James Brayshaw explained to viewers why they were only seeing limited camera shots from the ground on Channel 7.
"We don't provide the world feed for Test cricket, we do for the Big Bash," Brayshaw said.
“We’re only allowed to have four cameras inside the venue to add to what’s called the world feed. A lot of what you’re seeing over the last 40 minutes has been provided by the only four cameras we’re allowed in the venue.
James Brayshaw explaining the cameras situation from our perspective (audio): pic.twitter.com/7xuM2TIzVM
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 11, 2021
“So if you’re seeing some weird angles, retro watching the ball from behind and things like that, it’s because we have not got control of anything but the four cameras we can get inside.
“But we hope now we’re back to normal programming.”
Images resumed not long after the outage, despite DRS still unavailable.
The morning session marked Nathan Lyon's long wait for a 400th Test wicket with the off-spinner dismissing Dawid Malan in his second over on Day Four.
England crumbled as they lost 4-45 in the morning.
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