TNT Sports faces on-air blunder during Ashes Test
TNT Sports experienced a significant on-air blunder during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney, where their commentary team mistakenly identified a replay as live action, reports BritPanorama.
The incident occurred after Jamie Smith was run out by Marnus Labuschagne, marking England’s sixth wicket. As Captain Ben Stokes walked to the crease, the broadcaster aired highlights of Smith’s dismissal, which the commentators misinterpreted as current footage.
This led to commentator Rob Hatch dramatically asserting that Stokes had also been run out, despite the England skipper having faced only three balls at that time. A colleague quickly intervened, noting, “thankfully someone’s looking out the window of the box, and it’s Alastair Cook!”
Former England captain Cook addressed viewers, reassuring them, “Good news for people who are waking up (England) are six wickets down. Rob was giving them seven, but we’ll forgive you, we’re not used to four days. If you were dozing you’ve woken up now, Rob. Stokes is still there it’s fine!”
The error quickly attracted ridicule on social media, with some viewers dubbing it a “ghost” run-out. One fan criticized, “Commentators thinking Stokes was run out because they can’t tell if they’re seeing a replay or live gameplay from THE STUDIO IN LONDON is, put simply, shambolic.”
In a twist of irony, Stokes was dismissed shortly after the commentary mix-up, leaving England precariously positioned at 267 for seven as day four approached its end. The commentary team reflected on his brief innings with an unintentional echo of their earlier blunder: “It was a case of how long he could last. He was still there and he’s gone now.”
