TNT Sports suffered a humiliating on-air gaffe during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney when their commentary team confused a replay with live action.
The blunder occurred after Jamie Smith was dismissed by a run-out from Marnus Labuschagne, with England losing their sixth wicket during the afternoon session and captain Ben Stokes arriving at the crease.
When the broadcaster subsequently showed highlights of Smith's dismissal, the commentators in the studio mistakenly believed they were watching live footage.
This led to the erroneous claim that Stokes had also fallen victim to a run-out, despite the England skipper having faced only three balls at that point.
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Rob Hatch's reaction to the supposed dismissal was dramatic, as he declared: "It's happening again it's happening again! Stokes goes, two run outs in two overs, England are imploding!"
A colleague swiftly noted that "thankfully someone's looking out the window of the box, and it's Alastair Cook!"
An uncomfortable pause followed before the former England captain stepped in to set the record straight.
TNT Sports suffered a humiliating on-air gaffe during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney when their commentary team confused a replay with live action
|GETTY
Cook addressed viewers by 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!"
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Five things to know about the Ashes | PAThe mistake quickly became a target for ridicule on social media, with viewers dubbing it a "ghost" run-out.
One fan posted 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 viewer was particularly scathing about the London-based production, writing: "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 fan joked about TNT "almost giving a heart attack" with the replay confusion.
In a cruel twist of irony, Stokes was genuinely dismissed moments after the commentary mix-up.
Jamie Smith helped England put up a fight against Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test
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The England captain, who was carrying an injury, managed to score just a single run before being caught by Australia's Steve Smith.
His departure left the tourists in a precarious position at 267 for seven as the fourth day's play neared its end.
The TNT commentary team reflected on the brief innings, noting: "It was a case of how long he could last. He was still there and he's gone now."
The remark carried an unintentional echo of their earlier embarrassing error.