‘Ben Stokes is the most competitive bloke I’ve played against’: Virat Kohli
Former India captain Virat Kohli heaped praise on England captain Ben Stokes after the second Ashes Test, where England lost 43 runs with a session to spare.
Stokes’ blitz in England’s second innings saw him pile on 155 runs. He hit nine sixes, one of them a one-handed slap over fine leg, besides dispatching nine hits for four. However, in the end, his innings went in vain.
“I wasn’t joking about calling Ben Stokes the most competitive bloke I’ve played against. Innings of the highest quality but Australia is too good at the moment,” tweeted Kohli.
I wasn’t joking about calling Ben Stokes the most competitive bloke I’ve played against. Innings of the highest quality but Australia is too good at the moment 👍
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 2, 2023
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Without Nathan Lyon, who injured himself during the game, Australia dismissed England for 327 in 81.3 overs. Seamers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood took three wickets each.
What a nail-biting finish at Lord’s! Australia seals a sensational victory in the second Ashes Test. Kudos to Ben Stokes for his heroic innings, one of the best test innings, but the Aussie spirit prevailed. 🏏🔥🇦🇺 #Ashes #Cricket
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 2, 2023
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The game will also been remembered for the controversial conditions in which Jonny Bairstow was stumped half an hour before lunch. The batter ducked a bouncer from Cameron Green and he neither checked the fate of the ball nor stood his ground. Instead, he left his crease to talk with Stokes and wicketkeeper Alex Carey simply underarmed the ball into his stumps and the Australians celebrated. Bairstow was confused and the umpires asked for a ruling from the third umpire, who didn’t hesitate to say he was stumped for 10 at 193-6. England’s tail was exposed, still needing 178 more runs.
Despite Bairstow’s brain fade, Stokes expressed his anger to the on-field umpires, and large parts of Lord’s blamed the Australians in chants. One was, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, cheat, cheat, cheat.”
(With inputs from AP)
