SportsTime
  • Cricket
  • Cricket World Cup 2023
  • Football
  • Other Sports
  • Events
    • Major League Soccer 2023
    • Cricket World Cup 2023
    • EPL 2023-24
    • Big Bash League 2023
    • CPL 2023
    • Asia Cup 2023
    • The Hundred 2023
    • MLC 2023
  • Fantasy Tips
No Result
View All Result
SportsTime247

Steve Smith gets lucky as 3rd umpire deems Ben Stokes catch illegal

Kangaroo batsman Steve Smith on Day 5 of the Oval Test survived a huge scare as Stokes failed to legally complete a catch just before Lunch.

Shreyas Shrivastavby Shreyas Shrivastav
Reading Time: 3 mins read
July 31, 2023
207
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Ben Stokes catch

Ben Stokes dropped catch (Pic - ECB Twitter)

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

Tags: Ben Stokes
Shreyas Shrivastav

Shreyas Shrivastav

I'm into cricket. I'm also into writing. Oh, and I happen to like a bit of money. So here I am.

Related Posts

AUS vs IND 1st T20I: Preview, Probable XI, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, and Where To Watch?
Cricket

AUS vs IND 1st T20I: Preview, Probable XI, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, and Where To Watch?

by Chaithanya Gulapala
October 27, 2025
Rohit Sharma to Faf du Plessis: Five batters who scored the most ODI centuries against Australia
Cricket

Rohit Sharma to Faf du Plessis: Five batters who scored the most ODI centuries against Australia

by Chaithanya Gulapala
October 26, 2025
Ravi Ashwin drops a cryptic post after India lose Kohli-Rohit comeback series to Australia
Cricket

Ravi Ashwin drops a cryptic post after India lose Kohli-Rohit comeback series to Australia

by Chaithanya Gulapala
October 23, 2025
AUS vs IND: Rain to play spoilsport? Check out hourly weather forecast for Adelaide ODI
Cricket

AUS vs IND: Rain to play spoilsport? Check out hourly weather forecast for Adelaide ODI

by Chaithanya Gulapala
October 23, 2025
Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 World Cup? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responds
Cricket

Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 World Cup? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responds

by Chaithanya Gulapala
October 18, 2025
Virat Kohli drops a cryptic post on social media ahead of Australia vs India ODI series
Cricket

Virat Kohli drops a cryptic post on social media ahead of Australia vs India ODI series

by Chaithanya Gulapala
October 17, 2025

Latest

AUS vs IND 1st T20I: Preview, Probable XI, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, and Where To Watch?

AUS vs IND 1st T20I: Preview, Probable XI, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, and Where To Watch?

October 27, 2025
Rohit Sharma to Faf du Plessis: Five batters who scored the most ODI centuries against Australia

Rohit Sharma to Faf du Plessis: Five batters who scored the most ODI centuries against Australia

October 26, 2025
Ravi Ashwin drops a cryptic post after India lose Kohli-Rohit comeback series to Australia

Ravi Ashwin drops a cryptic post after India lose Kohli-Rohit comeback series to Australia

October 23, 2025
AUS vs IND: Rain to play spoilsport? Check out hourly weather forecast for Adelaide ODI

AUS vs IND: Rain to play spoilsport? Check out hourly weather forecast for Adelaide ODI

October 23, 2025
Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 World Cup? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responds

Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play in the 2027 World Cup? Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responds

October 18, 2025
Virat Kohli drops a cryptic post on social media ahead of Australia vs India ODI series

Virat Kohli drops a cryptic post on social media ahead of Australia vs India ODI series

October 17, 2025
Suryakumar Yadav picks Team India's best captain, picks top batters across formats

Suryakumar Yadav picks Team India’s best captain, picks top batters across formats

October 17, 2025
Rumours around Virat Kohli’s IPL future have once again set social media abuzz. Many fans started to believe that the former India captain might step away from

Mohammad Kaif Breaks Silence on Virat Kohli’s RCB Future Amid Exit Rumours

October 15, 2025
Gautam Gambhir Slams Ravi Ashwin and Kris Srikkanth for targeting Harshit Rana over Selection

Gautam Gambhir Slams Ravi Ashwin and Kris Srikkanth for targeting Harshit Rana over Selection

October 14, 2025
Ravindra Jadeja breaks silence after ODI snub

Ravindra Jadeja breaks silence after ODI snub

October 13, 2025

No Result
View All Result
  • Cricket
  • Cricket World Cup 2023
  • Football
  • Other Sports
  • Events
    • Major League Soccer 2023
    • Cricket World Cup 2023
    • EPL 2023-24
    • Big Bash League 2023
    • CPL 2023
    • Asia Cup 2023
    • The Hundred 2023
    • MLC 2023
  • Fantasy Tips

© 2020-23 Sportstime247