By India Today Sports Desk: The first session on Day 5 of the 5th Ashes Test witnessed a reciting contest between England and Australia as both teams were making one final push for the decisive victory in what has been one of the most enthralling cricket series. England dominated the morning session, picking 3 early wickets but Steve Smith and Travis Head stalled England’s charge with a 69-run partnership that helped them move into a comfortable position at Lunch.
Ashes 5th Test, Day 5 Updates
Another controversy erupted just before the Lunch break as Ben Stokes missed a golden opportunity to send Steve Smith back to the hut and hurt the morale of the visitors, who were chasing 384 to win the final Test and their first Ashes series victory in England since 2001.
It was a moment of madness as Ben Stokes lost control of the ball when he tried to celebrate the catch of Steve Smith. Moeen Ali, bowling the last over of the session, got a delivery to spin viciously. The ball hit the gloves of Steve Smith before it ballooned into the air. Stokes, who was in a leg-slip position, leap up and took the catch.
However, Stokes, while trying to throw the ball into the air and celebrate the breakthrough, lost control of the ball as it hit his knees.
England went up in appeal but there was no reaction from on-field umpire Joel Wilson. The review was taken and the replays confirmed that Stokes lost control of the ball before he completed the catch.
The on-field umpire’s decision of ‘not out’ stayed as the Australian fans at The Oval breathed a huge sigh of relief.
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
According to MCC’s 33.3 law, the act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his/her own movement.
WHEN GIBBS DROPPED THE WORLD CUP
Harschelle Gibbs, known for his exceptional fielding skills, and Steve Waugh, the then Australian skipper. This incident, often referred to as the moment when “Gibbs dropped the World Cup,” has since become a significant part of cricket folklore.
The game was progressing towards a critical juncture in the 31st over of the chase. Lance Klusener, a South African bowler, delivered a length ball that Waugh flicked towards the mid-wicket region. The ball went straight into Gibbs’ hands, but in a twist of fate, his premature celebration caused him to drop the catch. This error would later prove costly for South Africa, altering the course of the match and, ultimately, the tournament.
Following the dropped catch, it was alleged that Waugh had taunted Gibbs with the words, “You’ve just dropped the World Cup.” However, both players have since denied this exchange, with Waugh even addressing it in his autobiography, “Out of My Comfort Zone.”
On Monday, Ben Stokes was not happy with the umpire’s call as he continued to argue with them before Lunch was taken on Day 1.
Australia headed to Lunch 238 for 3, needing 146 more to deny England a series-leveling victory. Australia have already retained the Ashes Urn after taking an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the series after rain played spoilsport in the 4th Test in Manchester.
