Cricket: More controversy in third Ashes test

Mark Stoneman of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Mitchell Starc. Photo / Getty

The third Ashes test has again been marred by controversy with English opening batsman Mark Stoneman falling victim to a dubious DRS decision on the first day of the clash in Perth.

With the visitors on 131-4, Stoneman was given out by third umpire Aleem Dar - caught behind for 56 - after gloving a ferocious Mitchell Starc bouncer.

Plenty of debate after that review! Thoughts? #Ashes @Gillette #CloseMatters pic.twitter.com/NozC4L6O8T

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2017

Stoneman was originally given not out by on-field umpire Marais Erasmus, but Australian skipper Steve Smith immediately reviewed the decision after a decent grab by wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

TV replays showed the left-hander fending in front his face, with his bottom hand slipping off the bat handle.

Snicko displayed a spike of noise as the ball passed the glove (of Stoneman's bottom hand) and Dar ruled there was conclusive evidence - and overturned Erasmus' call.

Viewers - Australian and English - took to Twitter to express their surprise at Dar's bizarre decision.

Another shocker from the 3rd umpire. Didnt realize the law had changed to 'benefit of doubt goes to the Australians'

— fahim ahmed (@fahim_ahmed23) December 14, 2017

Awful decision.

— andrew williams (@andyww1) December 14, 2017

Stoneman had earlier been subjected to a barrage of brutal short-pitched bowling from Starc and Josh Hazlewood and was struck on the helmet by the latter in the afternoon session.

He was struck on the side of the helmet, with the protective stem-guard breaking off as a result of the impact, AAP reported.

The tourists' team doctor assessed the 30-year-old for concussion and checked his jaw before clearing him to continue batting in a new helmet.

"It has to rattle you as a batter. It definitely has to rattle you," Kevin Pietersen said on the Nine Network.

"There is a little cut there you can see on his right jaw.

"That's hit him hard. I really hope he is OK ... it made a horrible noise."

The build-up to the test was overshadowed by a report of attempted match-fixing.

The Sun that two Indian bookmakers had asked undercover reporters for up to £140,000 ($268,000) to fix passages of play, such as the number of runs scored in a given over.

The International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit later said it couldn't find any evidence that any players had been approached.