DRS controversy hits Ashes series as Snicko, Hotspot fail Joe Root

The International Cricket Council's controversial decision review system was in the spotlight again on the second day of the third Ashes Test at the WACA Ground on Saturday, according to reports.

According to Sport24, England were left disappointed when emerging batsmen Joe Root was given out caught behind by umpire Marais Erasmus at a crucial stage of the match from the bowling of Shane Watson in their first innings.

Root, who had made just four, was adamant he had not made contact with the ball and immediately challenged the decision, the report said.

The decision was then referred to New Zealand third umpire Tony Hill, who was himself at the centre of a massive controversy in the previous Ashes series in England, when he gave out Usman Khawaja from the bowling of Graeme Swann in the third Test, the report added.

In Saturday's incident Hill watched numerous replays of the Root footage, but deemed it was largely inconclusive, the report further said.

Hill decided there was not enough evidence to overturn the original decision and sent it back to Erasmus, so Root was on his way, shaking his head repeatedly as he departed, the report mentioned.