No ball farce at the Gabba as TV technology breaks down

A series of no balls bowled by Ben Stokes was not spotted, including the delivery which had David Warner bowled between bat and pad.

A technology malfunction was to blame for a series of front-foot no balls not being identified during the first session on day two of the first Ashes Test.

The technology which allows TV umpires to spot bowlers overstepping broke down prior to the start of the match at the Gabba, meaning the on-field officials reverted to the traditional requirement of calling infringements themselves.

However, a series of no balls bowled by Ben Stokes was missed, including a delivery which had David Warner bowled between bat and pad. 

^{Ben Stokes bowled David Warner with a no ball (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

Under the revised playing conditions, the TV umpire Paul Wilson was only able to look at front foot offences in the event of a wicket falling.

Both teams were made aware of the absence of the technology prior to the start of the game, but there will likely still be frustrations at the number of instances no ball have not been spotted by the standing umpires Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker. 

Only after Stokes' indiscretion was identified were his three previous over-steps in the lead-up picked up on by coverage from Channel 7. 

It was subsequently revealed that Stokes had over-stepped on 14 occasions in the morning session.

Gabba and Cricket Australia officials are still working on a solution to the problem which has prevented the technology being used in this game, with the hope that it will be up and running in the two teams' second innings. 

The ICC has moved to make TV umpire adjudication of front-foot no balls more and more widespread over the past two and a half years.

The playing conditions of the World Test Championship - of which this Ashes series forms a part - stipulate that the technology should be used. 

There were 14 (!) no-balls bowled by Ben Stokes in the first session.

Just one was called on-field, plus the 'wicket' ball on review #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ePfj0YEaHH

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 9, 2021

Our coverage of the Ashes is brought to you in association with Cricket 22

RELATED LINKS (open in external window in app)

Scorecard