Cricket The Ashes

'Itna bhi Bazball na karo ki ball hath hi na aaye' - Fans react as Ben Stokes's bizarre catch drop shocks netizens

After David Warner and Usman Khawaja's magnificent half-centuries, former Australia skipper Steve Smith and Head scripted a partnership.

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Steve Smith and Ben Stokes

Steve Smith and Ben Stokes (Source: Twitter)

The Australian cricket team has been phenomenal in the first half of Day 5 of the Oval Test in the Ashes. After David Warner and Usman Khawaja's magnificent half-centuries, former Australia skipper Steve Smith and Travis Head scripted a great partnership to outplay the hosts in the game.

Meanwhile, Smith received a lifeline during the last over before the lunch break. The incident took place during the first ball of the last over of the session, delivered by Moeen Ali. As Smith defended the ball, it popped up behind him towards the leg slip, where Stokes was positioned. The English skipper grabbed the ball and celebrated, but the ball slipped out of Stokes' hands, prompting the England captain to review the decision with a wry smile.

Here is the video:

Upon closer examination, replays revealed that Stokes had indeed taken a remarkable one-handed catch above his head, but he lost control of the ball, which then hit his thigh before he threw it up to celebrate. This turn of events resulted in England losing a review. Ben Stokes engaged in lengthy discussions with the umpires, both during and after the over, about the contentious catch incident.

Will Steve Smith and Travis Head script a historic victory for the Aussies?

In the ongoing Ashes 2023, Australia is leading the series 2-1. A draw or win in the ongoing fifth match will help them write their history. As this will be Australia's first Ashes series Victory in England after 2001. Before rain interrupted the game, Steve Smith and Travis Head added 69 unbeaten runs for the fourth wicket. Both batters are unbeaten and looking solid with the bat.

Smith, in his innings, scored an unbeaten 40 runs off 61 balls with the help of seven fours. Meanwhile, Head scored 31 runs off 53 balls with the help of five fours. They need 146 runs to win the game and create history. Notably, if England loses the game, this will be the first big defeat for the hosts since Brendon McCullum's tenure started. The Bazball's next test will be in January–February 2024, when they will tour India for a five-match Test series.

Here is how fans reacted to Ben Stokes' catch:

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