Ben Stokes loses control after a magnificent effort to wrap up Steve Smith’s catch at The Oval in the Ashes 2023.
After lunchtime, the rain stopped play, and Pat Cummins and company need 146 runs to win the Ashes in 2023. At the stroke of lunch on Day 5 of the ongoing fifth Ashes Test at The Oval in London, England skipper Ben Stokes failed to hold on to a catch by star Australian batsman Steve Smith.
The unusual occurrence occurred as Stokes jumped up to collect the ball after Moeen Ali’s delivery brushed Smith’s glove as the Australian came forward to defend. The all-rounder wrapped the ball, but it slid out when his hand touched down on his right knee as he came down.
The hosts had requested a review when the decision of the on-field umpire did not favor them. The verdict was upheld by the third umpire, who determined that the English all-rounder was not totally in control of the ball during the catch, and Smith was declared not out.
Ben Stokes loses control after a magnificent effort to wrap up Steve Smith’s catch at The Oval in the Ashes 2023
Out or not out? 🤷♂️ #EnglandCricket| #Ashes pic.twitter.com/q2XCJuUpxM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2023
The rain stopped play; Australia needs 146 runs to win the Ashes.
In the fifth Ashes Test, openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja gave Australia the lead in the fourth innings at Kennington Oval on Day 4, when rain forced early stumps. With the duo adding 135 runs for the opening wicket, Australia found themselves in an excellent position while chasing 384 runs.
After starting at 135-0 on Day 5, Khawaja and Warner attempted to consolidate Australia’s innings after their strong partnership the day before. Warner, on the other hand, was out for 60 with a rising delivery from Chris Woakes and edged a catch to wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow.
Meanwhile, Woakes struck again in his following over, lbw to Khawaja for 72.
Marnus Labuschagne, on the other hand, snagged an outswinger from Mark Wood, and Zak Crawley made a great low catch at second slip. Australia, on the other hand, reached 238/3 at lunch, with Smith and Tavis Head in the center.