TNT Sports’ Ashes coverage reached a new low after commentators mistakenly reacted live to a replay of a run-out during the fifth Test between Australia and England in Sydney.
Jamie Smith had been run out by Marnus Labuschagne as England lost their sixth wicket in the afternoon session, bringing captain Ben Stokes to the crease.
However, when TNT later aired highlights of Smith’s dismissal, the commentary team appeared to believe the footage was live, wrongly telling viewers that Stokes had also been run out.
Stokes had faced just three deliveries when commentator Rob Hatch exclaimed: ‘It’s happening again it’s happening again! Stokes goes, two run outs in two overs, England are imploding!’
Another commentator quickly followed with: ‘Well thankfully someone’s looking out the window of the box, and it’s Alastair Cook!’
There was then an awkward silence in the commentary box before Cook clarified the situation, saying: ‘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!’
TNT mistakenly reacted live to a replay of Jamie Smith’s run-out during the Fifth Ashes Test
The error did not go unnoticed by viewers, who quickly took to social media to mock what they dubbed a ‘ghost’ run-out.
One fan wrote on X: ‘I have not watched a lot live of the Ashes coverage but seen criticism of TNT. Just watched the commentary team believe that a replay of an earlier run out was live and someone else had been run out. Very amateur!’
Another added: ‘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’.
A third viewer posted: ‘Oh my days, not TNT almost giving a heart attack. Replay of the Smith run out bur commentator thought it was live and Stokes was run out.’
Carrying an injury, Stokes was caught by Australia’s Steve Smith almost immediately afterwards after managing just a single run leaving England 267-7, as the fourth day drew towards its conclusion.
The TNT commentary added: ‘It was a case of how long he could last. He was still there and he’s gone now.’
