ENG wicket-keeper batsman Ben Foakes was stumped in a rather bizzare fashion during the ongoing second test between New Zealand and England.
His side in a great position with 362 runs on the board, the number seven presumably walked in with the intent to hit some quick runs –much like the batsmen before him– and help England dominate the Black Caps even further.
In his bid to go big, Foakes –facing just his 5th ball– danced down the track against NZ off-spinner Michael Bracewell. However, in doing so, he tripped and fell flat outside the batting crease to become a victim of a hilarious stumping dismissal at the hands of Tom Blundell.
His right shoe spike got stuck in the turf, causing the ENG keeper lose all of his momentum, as well as his wicket.
Ben Foakes had a helpless look on his face as he watched the stumps being broken, along with his heart.
Oh dear Foakes…
Bracewell has the English batters falling for him ☝️
A small flurry of wickets before the new ball for the Black Caps 🇳🇿#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/KqqFB5d6MI
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 24, 2023
“Foakes has got in a heck of a tangle here. Maybe it is just the amount of grass on the surface. It is his front leg, his front spike has got stuck in the pitch. He’s come a cropper alright,” the on-air commentator jested.
Ben Foakes: It’s kind of a joke
Notably, just before the 2nd test, Ben Foakes had talked about how it is alright to get out in weird manners trying to attack under the leadership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.
“It (BazBall) kind of feels like club cricket. (When) I first came in the pressures involved in Test cricket were so extreme. You were so worried about playing a false shot and things like that. Sometimes now you can get out in a weird way and it’s a kind of a joke,” Foakes had said to the reporters.
The statement was meant to compliment the carefree brand of cricket the Three Lions have adopted in the Test arena. However, it has turned ironical in no time.
Or maybe Ben Foakes just wants to play BazFall: an upgraded version of BazBall.