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The Day 2 of the fifth and final Ashes 2023 Test witnessed an enthralling moment that left cricket enthusiasts stunned and in awe. The event took place just seconds before Marnus Labuschagne‘s wicket fell off Mark Wood‘s delivery during the day’s play.
Resuming their innings at 61/1, all eyes were on the pair of Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne to carry forward the Australian innings on Day 2 of the Oval Test. Although the pair showed great determination and made the English bowlers toil hard for the breakthrough, England ultimately was successful in trapping Labuschagne (9) in the 43rd over courtesy of a sensational delivery from Wood and an even more extraordinary catch by Joe Root at first slip.
It is worth mentioning that Root lunged to his left and miraculously grabbed the ball with just one hand after seeing wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow not going for the catch. The moment of sheer brilliance from the former English skipper left the spectators in awe, and he was also well-appreciated by his teammates. However, that wasn’t the only magical moment surrounding Labuschagne’s dismissal, as England seamer Stuart Broad had opted for a bizarre mind game to affect his counterpart’s concentration just seconds before the Aussie batter edged the red-leather to Root.
Also WATCH: Joe Root takes a one-handed screamer to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne in 5th Test
Stuart Broad’s bizarre mind game during the fifth Ashes 2023 Test:
Broad’s cunning act was committed a ball before Labuschagne’s dismissal when the Australian cricketer was steady in the crease, and he approached the stumps to flip the bails. Labuschagne was spotted smiling off Broad’s trick, but the mind game by the English pacer actually worked its wonders on the very next delivery, and the top-order batter had to walk back to the pavilion .
The entire episode left fans and cricket enthusiasts mesmerized, and the match commentators also talked about the event terming the Broad’s innovative approach as a ‘bit of magic’.
Here’s the video:
𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Stuart Broad
𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Mind Games ExtraordinaireIncredible, Broady 😂👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/MdeuNgrN2F
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023
Speaking of the match, the Aussie side struggled to build partnership after Labuschagne’s dismissal, and wickets kept falling at regular intervals for them. But despite the setbacks, Steve Smith (71) batted really well for the visitors and helped them cut down the gap between their and England’s first-innings score.
