Watch: Ben Stokes’ catch of Steve Smith ruled out in another controversial Ashes moment | Cricket News
There was a fresh tw in the last day of the 5th Ashes Test as England skipper Ben Stokes failed to keep hold of a catch which would have sent Steve Smith back right at the stroke of lunch on Monday.
The bizarre incident happened when Moeen Ali’s delivery hit the glove of Smith as he came forward to defend and Stokes leapt up to make the grab. He caught hold of the ball but while coming down, his hand hit his right knee and the ball slipped out.
England had sent it for review after the on-field umpire had given it not out but the 3rd umpire would also concur with the decision as he deemed that Stokes wasn’t fully in control of the ball during the catch and Smith stayed not out.
Out or not out? 🤷♂️ #EnglandCricket| #Ashes pic.twitter.com/q2XCJuUpxM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2023
Meanwhile, Australia are 238/3 at Lunch with Smith and Tavis Smith in the middle. England were on song in the first session as they snapped up 3 important Aussie wickets in the first session with David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne all back in the hut courtesy of Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.
Smith was unbeaten on 40 at the interval and Travis Head on 31 as Australia look to win the Ashes in England for the first time since 2001.
Resuming on 135-0 after their fine partnership on Sunday, Khawaja and Warner looked to continue to bat with positive intent but under grey skies the ball moved around from the start.
Warner was beaten a lifting delivery from Woakes and edged a catch to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
Woakes trapped Khawaja lbw for 72 in his next over, the batsman failing to overturn the decision on review, and with the crowd firmly behind them England’s tails were up.
Labuschagne struck two crisp fours before he nibbled at an outswinger from Wood and Zak Crawley took a good low catch at second slip.