Chris Rogers had an unlikely saviour in DRS, but it couldn’t help Australia avoid another devastating Ashes batting collapse on day two of the fourth Test.
England were bowled out for 238 just two overs into the day, before Stuart Broad (3-23) exploded out of the blocks to have Australia in all sorts at 3-75 at lunch.
In dramatic scenes at Chester-le-Street, Rogers escaped two decision referrals within three balls, the second sparking mass confusion and outrage amongst England players.
Umpire Tony Hill had made yet another error in giving Rogers out caught behind, however proper process was followed in reprieving the left-handed opener for a potential lbw verdict on umpire’s call.
England weren’t happy, but when Australian captain Michael Clarke became Broad’s third victim half an hour before the break, there was no doubt the home side had emphatically wrestled back momentum in the Ashes series they’re looking to wrap up at Durham.
Rogers (41 not out) rode his luck and showed great concentration to be there at lunch alongside Steve Smith (17no).
But Australia still have a mountain to climb 163 runs behind.
Broad jagged one back to crash through the stumps of David Warner (three) in the fourth over, and two overs later he was again too quick for Usman Khawaja (0), who was caught behind.
Clarke (six) dug in for a 37-run stand with Rogers to try to rebuild the innings, but slashed loosely outside off-stump in the 14th over, to nick Broad to Alastair Cook at first slip.
The skipper has been Australia’s only centurion this series and rarely in the past two years have his fellow batsmen fired without his help.
It helped England get over their lingering disappointment that Rogers was spared a double life on 19.
In the eighth over of the innings, Rogers was given out caught behind off Broad, but immediately reviewed the decision, confident he hadn’t hit it.
Replays confirmed it had indeed hit his pad, however, Hawk-Eye showed the ball pitching in line and taking the top of the off-stump.
However, the margin was so close it came back umpire’s call and because Rogers wasn’t given out lbw in the first instance, the third umpire had no choice but to say umpire’s call was not out.
To add to the confusion, the rules are set to be changed in October to mean a batsman would be out under those circumstances in the future.
Conditions conspired against Australia, with the wicket quickening up and the overhead cloud giving Broad and James Anderson assistance that wasn’t there on day one.
And Australia’s batsmen had little answer.
Warner’s return to opening was a disappointing one, lasting just four overs, however he was knocked over with a gem of a delivery.
Demoted opener Shane Watson was due in next at No.6.
It was back to reality for Australia’s inconsistent top order, who on the back of Clarke had rebuilt their fragile reputation at Old Trafford.
