VIDEO | Australia revisit Headingley horror as wasted DRS review comes back to haunt them
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So far, Australia have probably fared as worse as any team ever has in the history of cricket when it comes to using DRS, and despite their blunder at Headingley, Tim Paine & co don't seem to have learned their lesson. Today, once again, a wasted DRS came back to haunt them at a crucial juncture.
Prior to the start of the Old Trafford Test, coach Justin Langer spoke about the importance of using the reviews wisely and lamented his team's usage of technology in the first three Tests of the series. After Australia wasted a review towards the back end of the Headingley Test - something which eventually went on to cost them the match - all eyes were on the Kangaroos and their usage of technology heading into this Test. They did fare well for the vast majority, however, things changed drastically on the morning of Day 4.Â
On the third ball of the 94th over, with England eight wickets down, Jos Buttler shouldered arms to a Nathan Lyon delivery which struck him high on the pads. It looked not out to the naked eye and was also ruled not out on-field, but Tim Paine decided to go for a review, despite knowing that it was the last one available. HawkEye then showed that the ball would go on to miss the stumps by some distance, thus resulting in Australia losing both their reviews.Â
Of course, our sport always ensures that you get punished for your silly mistakes, and so Australia suffered the wrath of their own stupidity later on in the innings. On the final ball of the 104th over, with England still 7 runs adrift of avoiding the follow-on, Mitchell Starc trapped Jack Leach right in front of the stumps. The Aussies went up confidently in unison as soon as the ball struck the pad, but to their dismay, umpire Marais Erasmus ruled it not out.
Of course, unsurprisingly, HawkEye then showed three reds, meaning the decision would have been overturned had Australia not wasted their reviews. Never change, Australia.  Â
