- Ben Stokes’ Athletic Boundary Catch Turns the Tide
- England’s Impressive Bowling Display Restricts Australia
- Controversial Moments and Freewheeling Cameo in Ashes Finale
Ben Stokes provided a moment of brilliance in the final over of the second day’s drama in SE11 with a superbly athletic boundary catch direct from the Twenty20 playbook that halted Australia and turned the series finale into a straight shootout.
Before this fifth Test, Stokes said the shortest format made the longer, more famous one more appealing. While primarily discussing batting, this was another instance of the crossover – one of those boundary-rope juggling performances that have become standard in white-ball cricket.
With the dismissal of Pat Cummins, the tourists were eventually bowled out for 295 in 103.1 overs. This was the second wicket for Joe Root, who was subbing for the injured Moeen Ali. This was nearly twice as long as England’s first-day total of 283 and gave Australia a razor-thin lead of 12 runs as they chased the series win.
Steve Smith’s 71 was the innings’ best score before a late lower-order outburst. No. 10 Todd Murphy scored a brilliant 34 from 39 balls at 239 for eight, 44 runs behind. This, along with a determined 36 from Cummins, threatened to alter the day’s tone.
Before the courageous Murphy began smashing sixes like a spectacled Brian Lara, England’s performance was incredibly impressive.
A controlled, tactically orthodox technique with few short or broad-release shots replaced Stokes’ funkiness.
England’s attack from Manchester remained unaltered despite Moeen’s injury to the groin, and the remaining components complemented each other effectively. Stuart Broad provided his customary spark and antics, while Mark Wood attacked despite growing fatigue. Jimmy Anderson and Chris Woakes were precise, with Woakes claiming three wickets for 61 runs in his usual fashion.
Australian players were almost attempting to make a statement regarding their side of the much-discussed culture conflict. After resuming on 61 for one, 222 runs behind, they were forced into a grind, beginning with a morning battle in which the umpires refused to replace the ball despite England’s best efforts. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne dug in at opposite ends of the pitch. In the first hour, only 21 runs were scored, followed by a relative outburst of 33 in the second.
Wood returned for a second spell before the interval and bowled a beauty that caught the edge of Labuschagne’s bat before Root made a spectacular one-handed catch diving to his left. However, this was Bairstow’s capture, and he was once again rooted to the ground.
Perhaps credit should go to Broad for disrupting the tunnel vision of Labuschagne’s extraordinarily dogged 82-ball nine by switching the bails on the stumps between deliveries to induce a change in fortune. Perhaps it was due to Khawaja ignoring an easy single at the beginning of the over.
Broad caused havoc as England got five wickets and Australia was 186 for seven at tea.
His seventh delivery of the session trapped Khawaja leg before wicket for 47 from 157 balls, dismissing Travis Head. The latter exemplified general conformity, with the typical early bumper plan to Head shelved.
Mitch Marsh displayed momentary ambition, his coathanger shoulders and bulging muscles driving Broad back over his head for a straight six in an attempt to disrupt his cadence. However, Anderson’s return resulted in his first wicket of the match, Marsh being dismissed off the inside edge for 16 runs. Anderson’s relief was palpable, and Stokes, who had supported the aging champion, was especially tactile.
Alex Carey was caught at cover for 10, and Wood bowled Mitchell Starc before lunch. Over tea, Surrey’s reserve fielder, George Ealham, nearly pulled a Gary Pratt.
After Anderson’s early fours, Smith lowered his head. On 43, while attempting a second run with Cummins, he appeared to be the victim of a magnificent catch and throw by Ealham, which was completed by Bairstow’s destruction of the stumps.
Then, replays suggested that Bairstow may have fractured the wicket before the ball entered his gloves.
There were merely frames in it, with people viewing what they desired and discussing spigots and channels. Later, a clarification from the lawmakers at Marylebone Cricket Club supported Nitish Menon’s position as third umpire. Ealham, the 21-year-old son of former England all-rounder Mark Ealham, was deprived of Ashe’s immortality. While Smith, whose immortality was already assured, continued playing.
Smith collapsed immediately after the restart when Bairstow rushing back held a thick top edge from Woakes. It meant a useful stand of 54 with Cummins, which also removed nine overs’ worth of sheen from the second new ball, was completed, only for Murphy to arise and play his freewheeling cameo.
Woakes ultimately put an end to the revelry before Stokes began juggling on the rope. Last week’s rain in Manchester sealed the fate of the Ashes, but a series that began with a nail-biting one-inning thriller at Edgbaston may well end with another.
