DRS controversy derails England's shot at victory
A controversial early wicket sparked England's downfall on a dramatic final day of the second Ashes Test, with 'Snicko' coming to Australia's rescue in Adelaide.
Resuming at 4-176 on Wednesday and still holding hope of a famous victory, England got off to the worst-possible start.
On just the second ball of day five, Aussie paceman Josh Hazlewood had Chris Woakes caught behind for five.
The Australians went up as one after wicketkeeper Tim Paine took the catch, with umpire Aleem Dar taking a moment before giving the Englishman out.
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The tourists immediately challenged the decision, with DRS again playing a prominent role in proceedings.
'Hot Spot' showed absolutely no mark on Woakes' bat as the ball fizzed past, but fortunately for the hosts Snicko told a different story.
The tiniest of spikes showed up on the graph at the moment the ball passed the bat, meaning Dar's original decision stood and Woakes was on his way back to pavilion.
Fans were left fuming by the contentious call, with many believing there was not enough evidence to send Woakes on his way.
This DRS is embarrassing. Nothing on 'Hot Spot'. If he was an Aussie batsman there'd be a riot. Complete farce. @TK_BSB #ashes
— Dave Stanley (@daveystan1) December 6, 2017
Just seen the Woakes wicket from this morning, how on earth was that given as out, nothing on hotspot and snicko inconclusive?!
— Nick Parr (@NickParr) December 6, 2017
Woakes wicket was a joke
— Ant (@Ant_Walter3) December 6, 2017
Yeah mate! But Woakes should have got benefit of doubt as there was nothing on the hotspot. Ali was also given out at 'The Gabba' in same way with error in judgement.
— Harin (@Harin3885) December 6, 2017
Nothing on Hotspot but Chris Woakes is given out.@MichaelVaughan isn't convinced...
176-5 (178 to win)#Ashes pic.twitter.com/jBUFbLRQCH— The Ashes on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 6, 2017
Hazlewood backed up the wicket with the prized scalp of England captain Joe Root (67) in his very next over, leaving the tourists reeling.
Root was shaping as the only realistic chance of England claiming the unlikeliest of victories, with the captain unable to add to his overnight score from day four.
England's task became even harder when Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon trapped Moeen Ali LBW for just two runs.
For the second time on the final day, the DRS decision went again them with ball-tracking showing the ball to be just clipping the stumps.
Australia went on to defeat England by 120 runs to take a 2-0 lead, with Mitchell Starc cleaning up the England tail to claim a five-wicket haul.
After the match Root said there was no point being a whingeing Pom about a heap of "strange" DRS calls.
"There were a number of decisions overturned, it was strange," Root said.
"A few where we were out in the middle in the field and we thought that it's just regulation ... out.
"It's easy to criticise the umpires and it's easy to make excuses but it's a very difficult job. And just like players, you have good and bad days."