In a dramatic turn of events during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, England’s Harry Brook dropped a crucial catch of Australia’s Travis Head, who was on 99 at the time. This incident only added to the frustration of England captain Ben Stokes, who began the day already visibly agitated.
Brook’s drop allowed Head to continue his innings, eventually contributing significantly to Australia’s commanding position. Meanwhile, Stokes, known for his fiery temperament, struggled to contain his emotions as the day unfolded.
Stokes Abandons ‘Bazball’ Approach
Ben Stokes, who previously championed the aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy under coach Brendon McCullum, appeared to revert to a more cautious approach reminiscent of his famous innings at Headingley in 2019. Stokes’ slow, gritty 50 off 159 balls was his slowest in Test cricket, contrasting sharply with his usual aggressive style.
Despite his efforts, Stokes fell short of a match-defining innings, being dismissed for 83. Former Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark commented on ABC Sport,
“The top six have been told to play attacking … without consequence. It hasn’t worked and [Stokes has] gone ‘I’m gonna play like we’re supposed to play’. To me that is really, really confusing if I was a young player.”
Stokes’ Emotional Outburst
Stokes’ dismissal by Mitchell Starc, who has now dismissed him six times in Tests, led to a visible outburst. Stokes expressed his frustration by throwing his bat and helmet, a move that has become somewhat of a trademark for him. His batting partner, Jofra Archer, followed him off the field, offering a consolatory pat on the back.
This emotional display highlighted the pressure on Stokes, who has been tasked with leading England through a challenging series against a formidable Australian side.
Weatherald’s Questionable Decision
Elsewhere, England’s Jake Weatherald made a surprising decision to walk off after being given out LBW, despite ball-tracking technology later showing the ball pitched outside leg stump. This decision added to the controversy surrounding umpiring decisions in the series.
Weatherald’s departure, without using the available review, baffled fans and commentators alike, as it could have been overturned upon review.
Green’s Struggles and Selection Dilemmas
Cameron Green’s continued struggles with the bat have sparked discussions about his place in the Australian team. Averaging just 21.8 in his last 15 innings, Green’s performance is under scrutiny. Former Test player Jason Gillespie suggested potential replacements,
“If the selectors do decide to make a change and bring Beau Webster in, the logical step would be to move Inglis to five, Carey stay at six and Webster in at seven.”
Gillespie also mentioned Nathan McSweeney as a potential option, noting his recent performances in domestic cricket.
Brook’s Missed Opportunities
Harry Brook’s dropped catch of Travis Head was not his first missed opportunity in the series. Earlier, he had dropped Usman Khawaja, who went on to score 82. Brook’s fielding lapses have added pressure on the young player, particularly in the absence of Stokes, who was off the field at the time of Head’s drop.
As the series progresses, England will need to address these fielding errors and strategize effectively to counter Australia’s strong performances. The next steps for both teams will be crucial in determining the outcome of this fiercely contested Ashes series.
