Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Australia reviewing DRS process after Headingley howler - Paine

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - Third Test - England v Australia - Headingley, Leeds, Britain - August 25, 2019 Australia's Tim Paine looks dejected after losing the test Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

(Reuters) - Australia are reviewing the way they use cricket's Decision Review System after blowing their last referral late in the Headingley cliffhanger against England, captain Tim Paine has said.

Paine wasted Australia's last review on a leg-side lbw appeal against tailender Jack Leach, denying spinner Nathan Lyon a referral for a much stronger leg before shout soon after against Ben Stokes.

Stokes, who scored an unbeaten century, guided England to a rousing one-wicket win that levelled the series 1-1 ahead of the fourth test at Old Trafford.

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - Third Test - England v Australia - Headingley, Leeds, Britain - August 25, 2019 Australia's Tim Paine, David Warner and team mates celebrate the wicket of England's Jos Buttler Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Paine, who has worn plenty of criticism for his ambitious review, said the team were looking to come up with a better plan for the rest of the series.

"We're trying our best to come up with a system that's better," he told Melbourne radio station SEN.

"And we can, I suppose, gather information on what different people are seeing on the field at the time and in that 15 seconds try to make a better decision than what we have been doing, but it's a little bit of trial and error."

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - Third Test - England v Australia - Headingley, Leeds, Britain - August 25, 2019 Australia's Tim Paine, David Warner and team mates celebrate the wicket of England's Jos Buttler Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

The wasted review was one of a slew of mishaps in the final hour as Australia gave up a seemingly impregnable position to allow England back into the series.

Paine said his team were "obviously really dejected" in the immediate aftermath at Headingley on Sunday but he was proud at how they had banded together in the days since.

"Losses like that can wear groups down and break groups apart," he said.

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - Third Test - England v Australia - Headingley, Leeds, Britain - August 25, 2019 England's Ben Stokes and Australia's Tim Paine look on Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

"Really proud of the fact we've moved on quickly. We certainly didn't paper over the cracks.

"We know we made some pretty obvious mistakes particularly in that last hour. We've had some pretty honest chats about that."

Stokes proved a game-changer at Headingley and Paine came in for criticism for his field positions as the all-rounder blasted Australia's attack to all parts of the ground.

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - Third Test - England v Australia - Headingley, Leeds, Britain - August 25, 2019 Australia's Tim Paine and David Warner look on as England's Jonny Bairstow is given not out after a review Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Paine said there was little he would have changed, though, barring asking his team to take their chances when offered.

"(Stokes) can literally hit the ball anywhere he likes on the field, so when he's in and going, he's extremely hard to stop," said Paine.

"In the last two test matches alone, I think Nathan Lyon's got him out about six or seven times. We've either dropped him or the lbws have been given not out and we haven't referred them.

Cricket - Ashes 2019 - Third Test - England v Australia - Headingley, Leeds, Britain - August 24, 2019 England's Joe Root talks to Australia's Tim Paine during the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

"So, Lyon's always had some success against him. We've just got to back him up and grab those chances or learn how to use the DRS a little better."

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by ....)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.