Australia is edging closer to securing the coveted Ashes urn after England faltered dramatically on Day 2 of the third test. England began promisingly but soon found themselves in a precarious position, closing the day at 8/213, still trailing by 158 runs.
Poms Clash Amid Unfolding Madness
On Day 2, England added just 45 runs to their overnight score, bringing their lead to 371. The day was marked by sweltering 40-degree temperatures, which affected player performance and overall game dynamics. However, the real source of tension was the use of the controversial Snicko technology, which once again stirred debate in the cricket community.
Controversies Surrounding Snicko Technology
On the opening day, Snicko’s failure cost England the crucial wicket of Alex Carey, who later capitalized on his second chance to score an emotional century. The following day, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith faced two contentious incidents involving Snicko. Initially, he seemed to be caught at slip by Usman Khawaja, but Snicko indicated the ball only hit Smith’s helmet, despite video replays suggesting a glove deflection.
- Mitchell Starc expressed frustration, stating, “Snicko needs to be sacked. That’s the worst technology there is.”
Shortly after, Smith was sent back to the pavilion due to another Snicko ruling. Although the technology showed a spike, it was deemed out of sync, occurring after the ball had passed his bat. Replays suggested there was a clear gap between the bat and the ball, raising questions about the accuracy of the technology.
Woes for the England Team
The halftime narrative was marred by England’s dismal performance with both bat and ball. The batsmen failed to take advantage of favorable batting conditions, a continuation of their troubles throughout the series. With Australia holding a substantial lead, attention turns to the forthcoming Day 3.
As the match progresses, the focus remains on whether England can recover or if Australia will further consolidate their position in this vital Ashes series.
