Ben Stokes’ run out among day four talking points

Ben Stokes’ run out among day four talking points
JULY 20, 2015 7:43AM

Ben Stokes caught short in embarrassing fashion
A COMPLETE English capitulation saw Australia sprint to victory on day four of the second Test.
The visitors levelled the Ashes at 1-1 with a 405-run victory — the fourth largest runs margin in an Ashes match.
Australia set England an impossible run chase with some enterprising batting early on day four before the hosts meekly surrendered. These were the talking points:

1. DUMBEST DISMISSAL OF THE ASHES
Ben, what were you thinking?
Ben, what were you thinking? Source: Supplied
IT was described by Michael Vaughan as a “school boy error” but even that probably doesn’t go far enough in explaining the stupidity of Ben Stokes’s run out.
The English all-rounder was well inside his crease when Mitchell Johnson’s athletic turn-and-throw sent the ball crashing into middle stump.
But Stokes failed to follow the age-old rule of sliding your bat and was run out just before his foot hit the ground. He had yet to score.
It was a disappointing dismissal after how well Stokes played in the first innings and left England in all sorts of trouble at 5/52.

2. JOHNSON OPENS OLD SCARS
He’s back. Johnson proved to England fans that his form is still as strong as ever.

AFTER a subpar — albeit quite unlucky — showing in Cardiff, the English fans were quick to suggest Mitchell Johnson had returned to the bowler who struggled on previous Ashes tours. They can forget that. Johnson was the best bowler in this Test match, backing up his strong showing in the first innings with figures of 3/27 in the second. His removal of plucky all-rounder Moeen Ali was perhaps the most satisfying, and ominous, on day four. Johnson directed a short ball at the English batsman’s heart and he could only fend it straight toward substitute fielder Shaun Marsh. Johnson finished with match figures of 6/80 from 30.1 overs and looks capable of inflicting similar damage to what he did during the 2013-14 series in Australia.

3. STEVE SMITH GETS ONE OVER BRADMAN
Smith shot himself into the record books alongside cricketing legend Don Bradman.

AUSTRALIA’S new number three was a straightforward choice as man of the match after setting up the game with a fine double century in the first innings. While Smith’s score of 215 was quite orthodox (as the situation required) he showed his adaptability with some inventive strokeplay in the second innings. The 26-year-old slapped 58 runs from 48 deliveries to become the first batsman since Sir Donald Bradman in 1934 to score a double century and a half century in the same Ashes Test. He also broke Bradman’s record for the most runs by an Australian in a Test match at Lord’s.

4. NIFTY NEVILL’S DREAM DEBUT
Nevill managed a stellar debut, giving selectors a lot to think about ahead of the third

THE selectors could face a difficult decision if Brad Haddin makes himself available for the third Test because Peter Nevill couldn’t have done much more to hold his place in the side. The young keeper added another four catches in the second innings to finish with seven for the game, equalling the record for most on debut. By making a handy 45 in the first innings he already looks to have the edge over Haddin with the bat.

5. CONCUSSION CONCERN AS ROGERS IN DOUBT
England v Australia: 2nd Investec Ashes Test - Day Three

Australian coaching staff were taking no risks as Chris Rogers was forced to retire injured with concussion. Source: Getty Images
THE only other selection uncertainty ahead of Edgbaston in nine days time surrounds opening batsman Chris Rogers. The 37-year-old was forced to retire hurt on 49 in the second innings after suffering from the delayed effects of concussion sustained on day two. It’s the third serious head knock Rogers has copped in the past year and will not be taken lightly by an Australian dressing room that was rocked by Phillip Hughes’s death. If Rogers misses the third Test, Shaun Marsh looms as the likely replacement.