A Run-out Controversy? Steve Smith, Jonny Bairstow indulge in a disputable Ashes moment

The ongoing Ashes series has been rocked by another controversy as Steve Smith and Jonny Bairstow have been involved in a bizarre scenario in the third test. England have been on top as the bowlers have inflicted massive damage on the Aussie batting order. The visitors are currently leading the series 2-1.

3 things you need to know

• Australia has retained the Ashes urn 
• Australia was bowled out by England at 295 runs
• England haven't won the Ashes series since 2015 

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Ashes became a subject to another controversy

The incident happened in the 78th over when Steve Smith glanced to the leg side and called for a two. Substitute fielder George Ealham's acute throw came straight to Jonny Bairstow who didn't waste time to dislodge the stumps. This sent the Oval crowd into a massive cheer as Smith appeared to be a few yard shorts of the crease.

But after a lengthy review, Umpire Nitin Menon decided that the former Australian skipper was not out as only a single bail came out of the groove. Both the bails needed to be completely dislodged from the groove and this particular event has attracted a lot of controversy as it stands.

Stuart Broad (2-31) needed five balls after lunch to claim the third Australian wicket and leave Australia on 115-3. Broad pinned Usman Khawaja leg before wicket for 47 and, despite the opener reviewing the out decision, the ball-tracker showed it would have hit leg stump. It brought Travis Head to the crease for an afternoon session that was braced to be more dramatic than a slow-moving morning.

R Ashwin applauds Nitin Menon's efforts 

This particular incident also saw reactions from the cricketing fraternity as Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin too took to social media to laud the effort of Nitin Menon.

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He tweeted, "What’s with the Ashes and substitute fielders. #ashes2023 #ashes2005 #garypratt #georgeeahlam Have to applaud Nitin Menon for making the right decision."

Bairstow was involved in another controversy as Alex Carey dislodged the bells when the English wicketkeeper left the crease thinking the ball is dead.