Some more exciting drama unfolded in the first session of Day 5 of the ongoing 5th and final Ashes 2023 Test at The Oval.
In their chase of 384 runs, David Warner and Usman Khawaja continued to bat comfortably in the first hour, before a change of ball helped England storm back with three quick wickets, Australia going from 140/0 to 169/ 3 and the game opened up again.
Steve Smith and Travis Head steadied the tide for a while, but England could have had Smith at the stroke of Lunch, but for a fumble by none other than skipper Ben Stokes.
In the last over before Lunch, Steve Smith played a forward defensive shot to an off-spinning delivery from Moeen Ali that turned and bounced just a bit extra than Smith anticipated and brushed Smith’s bottom glove on the way.
Taking a deflection from the glove, the ball lobbed high in the air but Ben Stokes, standing at leg-slip for exactly this kind of chance, timed his jump to perfection and caught the ball with his right hand fully stretched and raised.
Although umpire Joel Wilson gave it not out, Stokes reviewed the decision and the Oval crowd erupted when they saw the ball taking the bottom glove of Steve Smith.
Now, the interesting part. Third umpire Nitin Menon must be given credit here as he was astute in his observation that Ben Stokes had fumbled the catch.
Why was Steve Smith given not out despite gloving the ball?
Because Ben Stokes had dropped the ball while in his celebration of the catch. Stokes’ hand hit his thigh and he dropped the catch. According to the law, Stokes wasn’t in full control of his body and the ball during his celebration that wasn’t completed with the ball in his hand.
Watch this incident here:
Out or not out? 🤷♂️ #EnglandCricket| #Ashes pic.twitter.com/q2XCJuUpxM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2023
Law 33.3 states that a catch is only completed when the fielder has complete control over the ball and his/her movement.
Steve Smith survived because of Stokes’ casualness in his celebration. England also lost a review as Joel Wilson’s on-field decision was not overturned.
