Home
Steve Smith could have said “You just dropped the Ashes mate” and it would have perfect sense as Ben Stokes made a mess of a catch at leg gully after doing 90 per cent of the hard work. Stokes gave Smith a massive reprieve on Day of the fifth Ashes Test at Kennington Oval, London.
The incident took place in the over right before the lunch break. Smith came forward to defend against Moeen Ali but the ball took an inside edge off the bat. Stokes and gullly jumped in the air a spectacular one-handed catch. However, he lost control when the right hand hit his knee and the ball popped out during celebration.
Stokes almost immediately knew that he had made a big mistake. But, the England captain reviewed the umpire's decision. The ultraedge showed that the bat had hit the ball. But third umpire Nitin Menon once again took the right decision as Stokes was not in control of the catch and gave Smith not out.
Smith was batting on 39 when he got a massive reprieve. He remained not out for 40 at the end of first session. Had Stokes been in control of the catch, England would have carried the momentum after seeing the back of Smith.
Australia were in total control of the run chase at 238/3, needing 146 more runs to win the fifth Test. Rain played spoilsport as Travis Head and Smith walked out to bat in the second session.
If Australia pull off the run chase, it will be the second-highest in Ashes history. The record for highest run chase in Ashes history belongs to Australia. In 1948, they chased down 404 at Leeds.
In addition to the catch controversy, the change of ball irked current and former cricketers. England bowlers complained to the umpires and the replaced ball was way shinier in comparison.
Chris Woakes broke the partnership early in the day with the wicket of David Warner. He followed it up with the wicket of Usman Khawaja. Then Mark Wood got into action and got the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. From 140/0, the visitors lost three wickets for 29 runs before Smith and Head took control of the run chase.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup match preponed, more changes in schedule on the horizon; check dates here
MLC 2023 Final: Ton-up Nicholas Pooran single-handedly annihilates Seattle Orcas, smokes 10 fours and 13 sixes as MI New York claim inaugural title
