Alastair Cook's controversial escape at the SCG today has left England and Australia at loggerheads about the umpire's right to ask for replays of possible no-balls after Michael Beer was denied his first Test wicket.
Cook was walking towards the pavilion after he had lobbed Beer to Mike Hussey at mid-on for 46, but was asked to wait by standing umpire Billy Bowden, who believed Beer — on his Test debut — might have sent down an illegal delivery.
When TV umpire Tony Hill checked the replays, the left-arm spinner was shown to have overstepped the line and Cook was reprieved. He was still there on 61 not out as England closed day two of the Fifth Test 167 for three, 113 runs behind.
In the Fourth Test in Melbourne, Matt Prior was caught behind off Mitchell Johnson for five but was given a second chance when umpire Aleem Dar called for the TV replay that proved Johnson had overstepped. The England wicketkeeper went on to score 85 to help the tourists earn the victory that ensured they retained the Ashes.
"Having been in that situation, I probably don't like how the system works," Johnson said. "It can be frustrating. If umpires think it's a no-ball they should call it rather than waiting. Everyone will have different opinions. I guess you just have to get your foot behind that line.
"That's where the review system isn't that great. It has happened a couple of times now and we need to improve it."
Yet Johnson admitted the Aussies have a problem with no-balls. "I don't know how we are going to fix it," he said. "We need to find a way to sort it. It's a problem we have."
Australia have bowled 19 no-balls in this series to England's seven, and Jimmy Anderson claimed that was no coincidence. He said: "I don't think they use it [the no-ball referral system] enough. It's good cricket, because the correct decision comes out in the end.
"We think it's a very important part of our job to try to stay behind the line, and we practise it in the nets. Hopefully, we can replicate that in the middle."
