Ben Stokes calls for rule changes as fans reject wicket decision

ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes has called for a change to the DRS rules in Test cricket.

Zak Crawley was dismissed after a bizarre LBW (leg before wicket) call during England's third Test against India, leaving Stokes and co. baffled.

The DRS (decision review system) technology appeared to show the ball missing the stumps.

However, Crawley was forced to walk after an “umpire's call” before England slumped to a defeat of 434.

While discussing the incident, Stokes said talkSPORT: “It was just about Zak's DRS and he just gave us some information about how it was judged to be given out if the ball didn't hit the stump during the replay.

“The numbers said it hit the stump, but the picture said it was wrong.”

He continued: “I think you just want some sort of level playing field, I guess. I think the umpires have an incredibly tough job, especially in India, when the ball is spinning and bouncing, and sometimes not.

“My personal opinion is that if the ball hits the stumps, the ball hits the stumps. I think that should take away from the umpire's decision if I'm completely honest.

“I don't want to go into it too much because it makes it sound like we're whining about it.”

Cricket fans seemed to agree, with one person commenting on social media: “It won't affect the outcome of the match but that's such a bad decision. It took forever to get it on the field but In the end he was called by the referees for the smallest margins. Very bad referee.”

And another added: “DRS shouldn't be handing this out. It should be changed. There is doubt about both the height and the line. The umpires shouting at the corner of the stumps shouldn't be out!”

England's heavy defeat left them 2-1 down in the five-match series.