Steve Smith on the last day of the last Ashes 2023 Test had the rub of green go his way as the cricket rule book came to his rescue, deeming his catch pouched by Ben Stokes illegal.
Tasked with bowling the last over before Lunch, England off-spinner Moeen Ali landed one of his deliveries in the rough, getting it to shoot up on Smith, who had planted his front foot forward to defend the in-turner.
The Australian batting stalwart was deceived as the ball kissed his glove and went into the bucket hands of Stokes at leg-slip.
England decided to challenge the on-field call of not-out after a bit of pondering, but couldn’t get the desired decision despite Ultra-Edge confirming that Smith had edged it.
Interestingly, after jumping to grab the ball, Ben Stokes’ hand in its followthrough hit his knee, and the ball popped out as a result.
Designated 3rd Umpire Nitin Menon declared it not-out since Ben Stokes was not in complete control of the ball, and his body while completing the catch, granting Steve Smith a lucky escape.
Out or not out? 🤷♂️ #EnglandCricket| #Ashes pic.twitter.com/q2XCJuUpxM
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 31, 2023
Notably, the Aussie vice-captain had survived a close runout during his side’s 1st innings as well after Bairstow had made contact with the stumps before receiving the ball.
Steve Smith catch sparks controversy between Stokes and the Umpires
Though England accepted that the catch was indeed not completed by Ben Stokes, the English skipper was filmed arguing with the umpires over the status of their review.
Presumably, Ben and a few of others appeared unhappy over their review not being given back to them. England have not lost both of their reviews as they had earlier chanced one on Marnus Labuschagne.
The match stands in Australia’s favor. They need just 146 more runs (7 wickets in hand) in two sessions to wrap the series 3-1.
If AUS manage to win, or even a draw, the Oval Test, this will be their first away Ashes Series triumph since 2001.
Netizens call out the double standards of England
Following the dividing event, the cricket community has shared their take on the internet in huge numbers.
Netizens have called out Ben Stokes and his team for having double standards on the SPIRIT OF CRICKET as the England skipper sent the Steve Smith catch upstairs despite not holding onto it.
England earlier also benefited from swapping a deshaped 48-overs-old ball, as they had got an almost-new ball in exchange.
For the unversed, England had expressed displeasure at Carey’s stumping of Jonny Bairstow during the Lord’s Test.
Not for the first time, an uncontrolled wild right arm swing has landed Ben Stokes in toruble
— Tooves (@OneTooves) July 31, 2023
ben stokes saab pic.twitter.com/hPuKsPRiNX
— main hoon sanghi aur fascist (@thambivandelay) July 31, 2023
KP – “What a catch, what a player, what a moment. He’s a genius Ben Stokes.”
RP – “Yeah, but he’s dropped it now and he lost a review.” pic.twitter.com/uD8doefoVE
— Jonathan Walsh (@JonathanJWalsh) July 31, 2023
