'Common sense': The biggest travesty in umpire's Ashes howler

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has made a big call about how umpire Joel Wilson could have averted controversy in the third Ashes Test.

Wilson was at the centre of one of the match-defining moments late in England's miracle Test victory at Headingley that levelled the Ashes series.

The umpire failed to give England's match-winning hero Ben Stokes out after the allrounder was trapped in front by Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon.

Ball-tracking replays showed the ball going on to hit middle and leg stump but Wilson inexplicably decided that it was not out.

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Despite their heated protests, the Aussies has burned their reviews, meaning they could only look on helplessly as Stokes made the most of the reprieve by guiding his side to an unlikely win.

Writing for the Telegraph in Britain, Vaughan said Wilson could have avoided controversy altogether if he had more “common sense” and in-game awareness.

With England still having one review up their sleeves, Vaughan insisted that Wilson should have erred on the side of the Australians, knowing the home side could easily have challenged the decision - if he had correctly given it out.

“Wilson had to use his common sense at that moment and give Stokes out to Lyon,” Vaughan wrote.

“England had one review left. They could have checked his decision and nobody would have had a grumble.”

Angry fans made their feelings abundantly clear what they thought of Wilson's decision not to give a plumb Stokes out.

Australian captain Tim Paine refused to stick the boot into the umpire, however, insisting he's as much to blame as anyone.

“I saw it live. I thought it was out. I don’t need to see it again,” Paine said. “I have no issue with it, I don’t think I’ve got a referral correct the whole series so I can’t sit here and bag the umpires.

“To sit down and single out an umpire is unnecessary, he is no different to everyone else, he is allowed to make mistakes.”

It continued a dismal Ashes series for Wilson, who equalled an unwanted record in the second Test for having the most decisions overturned by DRS with eight.

Stokes completes Ashes miracle

Stokes once again made the unprecedented and unbelievable look easy, reeling in a record-breaking target of 359 to win the third Test by one wicket and rock Australia's hopes of retaining the Ashes.

The tourists came agonisingly close to a 2-0 series lead, which would have ensured Paine became the first touring captain to retain the urn in England since 2001.

Australia, devoid of morale and momentum after Stokes' unbeaten 135 meant England completed their highest chase in Test history, must instead reset with this week's tour game in Derby before the five-Test series continues at Old Trafford on Wednesday week.

England, skittled for 67 in their first dig, required 73 runs from Stokes and Leach's final-wicket stand after a collapse of 5-41 on a topsy-turvy fourth day at Headingley.

Leach scored a single run as Stokes outdid Ian Botham's 1981 Ashes heroics, hogging strike during a six-hitting rampage that featured a couple of chances.

With AAP