Watch! Twitter reacts to Alex Carey’s fumble to give Ben Stokes a huge second chance
England took firm control of the fourth test match at Manchester in the 2023 Ashes series. The hosts lead by 189 runs at Lunch on day 3 thanks to the smashing ton by Zak Crawley. England, went into lunch at 506/8 as the pitch has started to play a bit with the ball keeping low. Australia came into the game having a 2-1 series lead and a win in the 4th test will help them retain the Ashes and also win their 1st series in England since 2001.
The story so far –
England ended day 2 on 384/4 with Harry Brook and Ben Stokes as the overnight batters. The home team went into stumps with an overall lead of 67 with 6 wickets in hand. The star Australian bowlers also faced the now famous assault of the English in what is called the Baz-Ball style of play.
Karma strikes Alex Carey –
The onus of giving England a huge lead lay on the shoulders of Ben Stokes and Harry Brooks as the two teams resumed on day 3. The incident in question happened in over number 74 as Ben Stokes drove Starc and came back for a quick 2nd run.
At one point it looked as if Stokes was struggling as Michael Neser the substitute fielder whipped in the throw. Alex Carey though dropped the ball and broke the stumps with his hands to give Ben Stokes a second chance. This was considered many to be Karma staring Carey in the face after his controversial stumping of Bairstow during the Lords Test.
Harry Brook and Ben Stokes fifties drive England ahead –
Coming into Day 3 with an overall lead of 67, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook continued to attack the Australian bowlers. The pair the pair added 86 runs in 20 overs as they took the lead past 120. Ben Stokes was out for 51 off 74 balls with 5 fours when he was bowled by Pat Cummins. Harry Brooks fell for 61 when he was out to Hazlewood caught by Starc for 61 off 100 balls with 5 fours.
Australian bowlers under the pump –
Zak Crawley scored an impressive 189 off 182 balls with 21 fours and 3 sixes. This after England lost, Duckett for 1 and Moeen Ali for 54. Ali scored his runs off 82 balls with 7 fours. Crawley was joined by Joe Root as then pair added 206 in under 29 overs going at over 7 runs per over. Root was out for 84 off 95 balls with 7 fours and a six. England lost Chris Woakes for a 1st ball duck as Mark Wood fell for 8 at the stroke of Lunch.