“Ben in slip kills me” – Jofra Archer's 2014 tweet goes viral as Stokes drops Steve Smith on Day 5 of fifth Ashes Test
England pacer Jofra Archer's old tweet resurfaced as captain Ben Stokes dropped Steve Smith on Day 5 of the fifth Ashes Test at Kia Oval on Monday, July 31. Stokes, the English captain, lost control of the ball as he started celebrating grabbing the catch at leg gully.
The incident took place in the 66th over of Australia’s second innings, the last over before lunch. England spinner Moeen Ali got one to turn and bounce that hit Smith on the glove.
The ball popped up straight in the air and Stokes jumped at leg gully and took the catch. However, the ball popped out as he began to celebrate, with his right hand hitting his right knee.
Watch the video below:
Out or not out? 🤷♂️
#EnglandCricket| #Ashes pic.twitter.com/q2XCJuUpxM
Archer had tweeted in 2014 about Stokes fielding at leg slip:
“Ben in slip kills me.”
Ben in slip kills me
It’s worth mentioning that Stokes had earlier dropped Australian captain Pat Cummins in the opening Test. Cummins then stitched together a match-winning ninth-wicket partnership with Nathan Lyon as Australia went 1-0 ahead in the five-match series.
Australia have neutralized the effect of BazBall, they defeated England by 2 wickets after a nail biting contest and went 1-0 up in this 5 match Ashes series. Top effort by Aussies especially by Cummins & Lyon. That drop catch by Ben Stokes was the difference I guess! #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/tI7ksu2CVy" target="_blank" title="tweet-url" rel="noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/tI7ksu2CVy" target="_blank" title="tweet-url" rel="noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/tI7ksu2CVy" target="_blank" title="tweet-url" rel="noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/tI7ksu2CVy
Steve Smith and Travis Head in control of Australia’s 384-run chase
A reprieve for Steve Smith by Ben Stokes helped Australia stay on top in their 384-run chase in the fifth Ashes Test. The visitors reached 238-3 at lunch, with Steve Smith (40 off 61) and Travis Head (31 off 53) at the crease.
Earlier, Usman Khawaja (72 off 145) and David Warner (60 off 106) gave the visitors a bright start as they resumed the hunt for their first Ashes series win in England since 2001. The two left-handers shared a rousing 140-run partnership for the first wicket.
wickets in the final two sessions to level the series!
Right, that's lunch...
We need 7️⃣ wickets in the final two sessions to level the series!
#EnlglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/gcShr2Ev4J" target="_blank" title="tweet-url" rel="noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/gcShr2Ev4J" target="_blank" title="tweet-url" rel="noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/gcShr2Ev4J
For England, Chris Woakes dismissed both openers, while Mark Wood removed Marnus Labuschagne (13 off 33) cheaply.
Earlier, England had scored 395 in 81.5 overs in their second innings, courtesy of half-centuries from Joe Root (91 off 106), Jonny Bairstow (78 off 103) and Zak Crawley (73 off 76). For Australia, Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy scalped four wickets apiece.
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