Picture Credit: Twitter
England and New Zealand playing at Lord’s, England batting, Trent Boult bowling, a run-out chance created, throw comes but hits Ben Stokes’ bat and races to the boundary. No, it’s not from the final of the 2019 World Cup but from the 1st Test between England. It was Deja Vu for everyone watching the third day of the 1st Test between England and New Zealand.
In the second innings of England, Joe Root played a pull shot in front of the midwicket fielder who made a dive to stop the ball. Stokes from the other end sensed a run and left his crease. But Joe Root sent him back and while returning to his crease, Stokes got in the middle of the throw and the ball hit his bat. It then raced away to the boundary ropes.
Everyone immediately got the flashbacks as soon as the throw got diverted after hitting Stokes’ bat. Just like it happened in the final of the 2019 WC, Stokes put his hands up and apologized. This time, the only difference was that it was all light-hearted and everyone enjoyed the moment. Boult was seen getting involved in a funny banter with Stokes while Joe Root smiled from the other end.
Watch the video here:
Joe Root helps England tighten the grip
Now coming to the match, it has been a well-contested game with both teams playing a similar kind of cricket. Both England and New Zealand got bundled out cheaply in their first innings (NZ 132 All-out, England 141 All-out). However, they made a comeback in the second innings. While New Zealand scored 285 on the back of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell’s batting heroics, England have tightened their grip on the game with Joe Root still at the crease on 77*. The hosts need 61 runs to win the game while NZ need 5 wickets.