A technical issue allowed England all-rounder Ben Stokes to bowl an astonishing 14 no-balls in his first five overs of the Ashes Test against Australia. It was later revealed that the technology used by TV officials to monitor the front foot has not been working since the start of the Test.
It was first noticed when Stokes bowled Warner in just his fourth delivery of the game but did not celebrate when he realised he had overstepped. Replays then showed that Stokes had overstepped the line for all four deliveries but only the fourth was noticed because of the wicket.
Channel Seven later showed that Stokes went on to bowl another 10 illegal deliveries in his first five overs without being pulled up for them.
There were 14 (!) no-balls bowled by Ben Stokes in the first session.
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 9, 2021
Just one was called on-field, plus the 'wicket' ball on review #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ePfj0YEaHH
According to ICC rules, since 2019 TV umpires have been monitoring the front foot of bowlers for all deliveries to notify the umpire in case the bowlers overstep. But with the technology not available for them to call it immediately, on-field umpires for the Test had reverted to the old method of calling a no-ball as they see it, with deliveries being reviewed only in the event of a wicket.
Former captain Ricky Ponting expressed his shock and displeasure at the situation.
"If it's someone upstairs who is supposed to checking these, and they haven't decided that any of those are a no-ball, it's pathetic officiating as far as I'm concerned. If (Stokes) had been called for a no-ball the first one he bowled, then of course he is going to drag his foot back," Ponting told Channel Seven.
Stokes is bowling in his first Test match in over nine months, having battled a finger injury and then staying out of competitive cricket to focus on his mental health.
He makes his comeback to the national team with this Ashes Test series in Australia.
Australia made a strong start, going past England's paltry first innings total of 147 for the loss of just one wicket. David Warner scored 94 before the wickets tumbled. Australia have still managed to reach 212/5 by the third session of day two.
