ENGLAND fans were left fuming after Steve Smith survived a controversial run out call.
During day two of the Fifth Ashes Test, Jonny Bairstow appeared to whip off the bails before Smith had made it home, only for the umpire to declare the batter had made it back in time.
Sub fielder George Ealham - son of legendary all-rounder Mark - raced in and launched the ball to the keeper's end.
But Bairstow, 33, appeared to knock a bail off the stump before receiving the ball.
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Fans were left with a mixed reaction to the call, with some criticising the decision to allow Smith to stay in and others levelling their fury towards Bairstow.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "Such a bad decision. The middle stump is back, the bails are not in the grooves and Smith is short of his ground!
"Yes Bairstow disturbed the off stump bail but not the leg stump bail. That is now out its groove!"
A second argued: "Bairstow is so so so bad at keeping, heâs taken the bails off before the balls even in his gloves ð¤£."
"Jonny Bairstow has been Australiaâs player of the series," remarked a third.
While a fourth typed: "Jonny Bairstow has taken so much away from us."
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A fifth remarked: "Bit harsh blaming Bairstow for that, incredibly tight and happens so fast! Even Smith thought he was out."
Another added: "It was out. Terrible decision, even Ponting is saying out."
One argued: "Just very unfortunate. Bairstow can't take it cleanly as the ball is too close to the stumps. If he lets the ball go past the stumps, Smith is in comfortably."
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Australia have already retained the Ashes after England's hopes of turning around their 2-1 deficit were washed away by rain at Old Trafford.
The Aussies hold the fabled little urn courtesy of their 4-0 triumph Down Under in 2021-22.
And now Englands will need to wait until 2025 to try again when England head Down Under.
England need to win at The Oval to prevent Australia winning an Ashes series in this country for the first time since 2001, with victory at the Oval seeing the series drawn 2-2.
