In pursuit of 371 to equalize the Ashes series, England have been buoyed by some brilliant batting from captain Ben Stokes. The southpaw gave his opposite number Pat Cummins the charge and opened the face of the bat at the last moment to guide the ball past the slip cordon for a four, bringing up the 100-run stand alongside Ben Duckett in the process. He also flicked and drove Mitchell Starc to attain back-to-back boundaries early in the morning on the fifth day at Lord’s.
Jonny Bairstow lost his wicket in bizarre circumstances on the last ball of the 52nd over of the innings. He ducked underneath a Cameron Green bouncer and immediately decided to leave his crease as the over was completed. However, wicket-keeper Alex Carey throw down the stumps and Australia appealed in unison to have the decision adjudged in their favour. As per the laws of the game, the ball is still in play until the umpire calls for the end of the over, which he hadn’t yet.
Flicked off the legs 😎
Driven down the ground 🤩Back-to-back boundaries for @BenStokes38 👊 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/OIKcC6axUf
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 2, 2023
