Ashes 2023 | Twitter praises Ben Stokes as he sets up Usman Khawaja with Box Cricket fielding

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Usually, when a batter plays a long innings in red-ball cricket, the body language of the fielding team is hampered and they wait for his mistake for a wicket. However, Ben Stokes displayed his sheer determination to get well settled Usman Khawaja out in Ashes with a bizarre field setup.

The first Test of the Ashes 2023 has turned out to be an interesting contest till Day 3 as England had a first-innings lead of seven runs by the end of the first session. Usman Khawaja played a superb knock for Australia scoring 141 runs and was on his way to take the visitors towards a significant lead. However, Ben Stokes played smart with the field setup which led to Khawaja’s dismissal and it played a crucial role in England earning a first-innings lead. 

Ollie Robinson was bowling the 113th over of the innings and Khawaja was facing the fourth ball of the over. However, Ben Stokes was playing with the field and he placed six fielders in catching positions inside the 30-yard circle to put pressure on the batter. Watching the field placement, the Australian batter decided to attack the delivery and take advantage of such a bizarre field. Thinking so, Khawaja advanced down the track expecting the baller to pitch slightly back of a length. 

However, the bowler came up with an unexpected length and he bowled a pinpoint yorker. The batter tried to squeeze it out but the ball crashed into his off stump ensuring his walk back to the pavilion. The Twitterati praised Stokes for his intelligent move and compared the field placement to box cricket. 

Master-stroke

Beautiful

Awesome

Brilliant

Peak pressure

Beauty

Bazball in full-flow

Masterclass

Thing of art

Insane

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