Ashes 2025/26: Controversial Jamie Smith dismissal 'definitely inconclusive' despite lengthy review - 'Fans are perplexed!'

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The drama continued on Day 2 of the NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - as Jamie Smith was the seventh English batter to walk during the second innings. His dismissal came under controversial circumstances, which left the TNT Sports commentary team baffled. Smith was given his marching orders after a lengthy DRS review, which took over five minutes.

'Incredible... that took over five minutes' - DRS controversially sees Smith out

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jamie Smith was controversially dismissed during England's second innings in the first NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes Test in Perth.

After taking back control following a topsy-turvy opening day, England built a credible lead of over 100 runs on Day 2 before the wickets began to tumble in quick succession.

Australia took four wickets in four overs, seeing off Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook and Joe Root, before dismissing Ben Stokes to leave England 88-6.

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Shortly after, Brendan Doggett's delivery flew past Smith and into the hands of Alex Carey, as the Australians half-heartedly appealed, claiming the ball had clipped Smith's bat.

Following a lengthy DRS review - which lasted over five minutes - Smith was eventually given out, much to the bewilderment of the tourists.

And it was a decision which left the TNT Sports commentary team bemused.

"Wow! Wow! That is incredible!" TNT Sports commentator Rob Hatch cried once the decision had finally been confirmed.

"I mean, it’s out or it’s not out, isn’t it? And that took a long, long time! Was there enough deviation there?

"The deal is, that Jamie Smith has been given out, caught behind, and that took over five minutes for umpire Sharfuddoula [Saikat] to decide, and fans are perplexed.

"And I think looking at the expressions around the commentary box, as are we."

Co-commentator Ebony Rainford-Brent gave her opinion, and added: "I have to be honest, they’ve gone around the absolute houses there to make a decision.

"It actually felt, to me, not out. Normally, if it was a bat, you would expect a bigger spike. I didn’t see any deviation of the ball - normally, you see that seam rotating.

"For me, I think England and the fans are going to be annoyed about that. Not only how long it took, but not conclusive for me."

Stokes gone as Starc takes 10th wicket of match

Video credit: TNT Sports

Steven Finn was just as shocked, claiming that Smith's dismissal - and Australia's seventh wicket - was "definitely inconclusive", but was more understanding of the decision.

"Definitely inconclusive. The one caveat is that Jamie Smith walked, after it had been sent upstairs, he did walk halfway off the pitch and then gradually made his way back towards the stumps, when it seemed as though the snicko and the pictures didn’t line up," he said.

"The spike on the snicko was as the ball had passed the bat. I think there is one frame of leeway either side. So, whether it eventually ended up falling inside that one frame leeway? It’s such a shame that Jamie Smith is gone.

He added: "It certainly does feel [that it is inconclusive] if it takes that long to decide if something is out or not out.

"Travis Head, who is closest to it, is convinced there is a noise and clearly there was because of the spike."

England all out for 164 after three wickets in 10 balls

Video credit: TNT Sports

'Just stay because you never know'

Former England captain and TNT Sports expert Alastair Cook also gave his verdict and sympathised with Smith, but suggested he has to improve his poker face.

"For me, on that one, it can't be anything else if there's a noise, but there's so much doubt, and when the on-field decision is not out, I thought the safe option there should have been given not out. Just because it didn't seem right, and was so inconclusive," he explained.

"Jamie Smith needs to up his game in terms of his poker face," he added. "Don't walk off! Just stay because you never know.

"That to me is probably an indication that he felt something for him to do that."

Finn insisted that Smith will learn from the incident.

"The way he walked off, and the way he just accepted his fate after the decision had been made - he just nodded and walked off, suggests to me that he knew he'd hit it," he said.

"I think he will learn in the future that he won't walk off when it's sent upstairs by the captain."

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