The opening day of the Boxing Day Test was marred by controversy involving the third umpire when Brydon Carse dismissed Mitchell Starc on an alleged no ball.
As Australia found themselves struggling at 142/7, Starc misplayed a lofted drive and was caught by Ben Stokes, who was running back from mid-off. The crowd at the MCG was in disbelief as side-on replays suggested that Carse had bowled a no-ball.
Broadcast replays indicated Carse’s front foot appeared to land beyond the popping crease just as Starc made his way back to the dressing room, raising doubts about a potential no-ball, as reported by Fox Cricket. Starc glanced at the big screen before leaving the field, while third umpire Ahsan Raza concluded that part of Carse’s foot was grounded behind the line at first contact. This decision sparked skepticism among several former Australian players.
“I cannot see how he’s got any part of that shoe behind the line, unless my eyes are gone. I can’t pay that … I can’t see it,” remarked Australian great Mark Waugh during commentary on Fox Cricket.
Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe stated, “That’s tighter than a second coat of paint. At first point of contact, I can’t see that any part of his heel is behind that white line. It disguises a terrific bit of cricket by Carse himself, and the captain Ben Stokes (with) the strategy to promote (Starc) with that shot.”
With Starc’s dismissal, Australia crumbled, losing their final three wickets in just four balls, being bowled out for 152 in their first innings.
In response, England are currently in a precarious position at 62/4, with Starc and Michael Neser each claiming two wickets.
Notably, the MCG is witnessing a massive turnout, with 93,442 fans already in attendance, a figure that is expected to rise. This crowd not only surpasses the previous Ashes record here (91,092 in 2013-14) but also sets the record for the largest crowd on a day of cricket (93,013 for the 2015 World Cup final).