England all-rounder Ben Stokes rode his luck on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney as he stayed unbeaten even after a ball hit his off-stump.
It all happened during the 31st over of England’s first innings when Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green bowled a full-pitched delivery which Stokes decided to leave. The red-cherry took a deflection as the Australians appealed, and the on-field umpire gave Stokes out LBW. However, the English batter immediately went upstairs.
The replay showed a completely different picture which shocked everyone, including players from both teams, commentators and fans watching the coverage across the world.
It was seen in the replay that Green’s delivery was nowhere near Stokes’ pads, in fact, it crashed into the off-stump, but inexplicably the bails did not fall off, and the batter got a lifeline. No wonder Stokes had a big smile on his face as the decision was overturned.
Here is the video:
UNBELIEVABLE #Ashes pic.twitter.com/yBhF8xspg1
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2022
Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who was on air when the ‘physics-defying’ moment took place, was shocked and couldn’t believe that umpire had given that as ‘out’.
“What’s he given it out on? How bizarre was that? Paul Reiffel was a bowler, and he’s seen it hit the stumps and said,’ you’re out’. That’s one of the most bizarre things I’ve seen given out, for the ball hitting the stumps and the bails didn’t come off … I’m sorry, I’m still in shock. I’m still not sure what we just saw,” said Warne on Fox Cricket.
England were in some spot of bother as they were reduced to 36/4 with their captain Joe Root getting dismissed without troubling the scorers. That’s when Stokes, along with Jonny Bairstow, paired up to take their side out of trouble. The duo went on to form a crucial partnership of 128 runs for the fifth wicket before Stokes ran out of his luck, getting LBW off Nathan Lyon in the 51st over. Stokes made 66 off 91 with the help of 10 boundaries.
