Australia captain Michael Clarke led from the front with an unbeaten century as the first day of the third Test saw yet more Decision Review System controversy hit the Ashes.
Clarke’s 125 not out, the first hundred by an Australian this series, helped the tourists to 303 for three at Thursday’s close in a match his side, 2-0 down with three to play, must win to have any hope of regaining the Ashes.
Not since Australia’s Don Bradman, cricket’s greatest batsman, scored 810 runs at an average of 90 in 1936/37 has a side come from 2-0 down to win a five-match Ashes series.
And while Australia still face a colossal task the fact Clarke and Steven Smith, who survived both of England’s DRS innings referrals on his way to 70 not out, had so far added an unbroken 174 for the fourth wicket meant the tourists had enjoyed their best day of the series so far.
That was despite the controversial dismissal of batsman Usman Khawaja who was given out when the third umpire upheld an on-field decision for a catch behind.
Such was the outrage that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described it as one of the worst cricket decisions he had seen while Cricket Australia demanded clarification from the sport’s governing body.