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Embarrassing review blunder sums up England nightmare

Nothing portrayed England's horror day in the field on Saturday better than this humiliating DRS blunder.

Australia have one hand on the Ashes urn, with Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh breaking records and England's resolve on day three at the WACA, finishing unbeaten on career-bests of 229 and 181 respectively.

The hosts held a 146-run lead at stumps on day three of the third Test, having marched to 4-549 thanks to an unbeaten 301-run stand from Smith and Marsh.

The Aussie skipper never even looked close to getting out as he batted through the entire day to wear England's bowlers into the ground.

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The Poms thought they were in with a chance of snaring Smith's prized wicket early in the day when they had a close LBW shout turned down.

Players wait for the outcome of the review. Image: Getty
Players wait for the outcome of the review. Image: Getty

Joe Root opted to review the call with DRS, but was left wishing he hadn't.

Before replays even got to deciding whether or not Smith was out LBW, they revealed Jimmy Anderson had actually bowled a no-ball.


Ball-tracking wasn't required, but it showed the ball clipping Smith's leg stump, meaning the not-out decision would have remained, adding to the humiliation for the tourists.

In fact, they actually cost themselves a run by opting for the review!

England had boasted the upper hand at 4-368 in their first innings but have since spectacularly imploded.

Their trip hit a new low on Saturday, when 346 runs were scored and a single wicket fell.

Joe Root clutched a slips catch to dismiss Shaun Marsh shortly before the second new ball was due.

He jubilantly threw the Kookaburra into the air, desperate for deflated teammates to defend a first-innings total of 403.

But unbridled dominance followed from Smith and recalled allrounder Mitch Marsh, who combined in Australia's highest partnership in an Ashes Test at the WACA.

with AAP