DRS Drama Divides Cricket World
A lengthy and controversial DRS review that led to the dismissal of England batter Jamie Smith has sparked major debate during the first Ashes Test against Australia. The incident, which occurred on 22 November 2025, saw Smith given out after a five-minute deliberation by the third umpire.
Cook and Finn Weigh In on the Controversy
Former England captain Alastair Cook, speaking on TNT Sports, expressed his bewilderment at the decision. He stated that he believed a more significant spike on the technology should have been required to overturn the on-field call. "The only thing for me is I thought it had to be a big spike when it hit the wood," Cook commented. Reflecting on his time in the game and now five years after retirement, he admitted, "I still don't understand it. Cricket just throws up these inconclusive things, and we are never sure which way it's going to go."
Meanwhile, former England bowler Steven Finn offered a different perspective, suggesting that Smith's reaction was telling. Finn noted, "With the way he walked off and just accepted his fate after the decision had been made, he nodded and walked off and that suggested to me that he knew he hit it." He predicted that the young player would learn from the experience, adding, "I think he will learn in the future that he won't work off when it's sent upstairs by the captain. He will wait for that decision to be made."
What's Next for England and the Ashes?
The contentious dismissal of Smith, who was adjudged to have edged a delivery from Australian debutant Brendan Doggett, has immediately become a focal point of the series. This incident, alongside a similar review for Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, highlights the ongoing debates surrounding the use of technology in the sport. As the first Test continues, all eyes will be on how this controversy influences the remainder of the high-stakes Ashes battle.
