VIDEO | Alert Ben Foakes pulls off an MS Dhoni to send Andy Balbirnie with two-second wait

05/04/2019

Ben Foakes was England’s fourth choice keeper for the game against Ireland and when he was handed his ODI debut, his happiness knew no boundaries. His eagerness to prove himself also saw him pulling off an incredible stumping to send Andy Balbirnie packing and that would make MS Dhoni proud.

In the absence of Alex Hales, Foakes was given a chance to prove himself and the impressive performer in the English domestic circuit put on a show - both with the bat and ball - to ensure England came out from the jaws of defeat and secured a win against the neighbour.

His unbeaten 61 - the only half-century of the match - helped England secure an unllikely win after they subsided to 66 for 5 within 15 overs in the run-chase. However, the biggest highlight of the evening was the way he dismissed Balbirnie - in a fashion that would make any keeper proud after watching the clip.

In the 25th over of Ireland's innings, Joe Denly bowled a wide towards leg to which Balbirnie attempted a sweep while being unaware of the line of the delivery. While he kept his back foot planted, umpire Kumar Dharmasena suddenly turned towards the scorer to signal wide, but Foakes had other plans in his mind. Seeing the Irish batsman not bringing himself up to his original position, the English debutant waited patiently for Balbirnie to over-balance himself.

Once, Balbirnie lifted his toe, Foakes - who had done well to collect the ball as it sailed a long way down the leg side - lifted the bails for a sharp stumping. While some deemed it against the spirit of the game, the MCC Law actually states that Foakes was well within the rights to effect the stumping.

As per MCC’s Law 20.6.1.2, “unless No ball or Wide ball has been called, it will be a valid ball if the striker has had an opportunity to play it, except in the circumstances of 20.4.2.6 and Laws 24.4 (Player returning without permission), 28.2 (Fielding the ball), 41.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker) and 41.5 (Deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batsman).” There it was legal of Foakes to effect the stumping.