CRICKET
‘Kismat hee kharab hai’ – Fans react as Jonny Bairstow gets stranded on 99 as England get bowled out for 592
The fourth Ashes 2023 Test at Old Trafford has seen one-way traffic as England racked up a massive 592 total in response to Australia’s 317. Jonny Bairstow, who has not been free from controversies in the ongoing series made headlines again as he remained unbeaten on 99, missing his well-deserved hundred as England were all out. Bairstow took a single in the third all of the 108th over, trusting James Anderson to survive three balls. However, he was caught lbw by Cameron Green in the next ball, bringing curtains on England’s innings.
Earlier, the hosts had won the toss and elected to field first. Helped by half-centuries by Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh, Australia posted 317 runs as Chris Woakes led the rampage with a five-wicket haul. Stuart Broad scalped two while three were shared equally between James Anderson, Mark Wood, and Moeen Ali.
Australia trail England by 162 runs at Stumps, Day 3
In reply, England’s opener Zak Crawley played an exceptional innings of 189 off 182 balls, including 21 fours and three sixes. Five other batters – Moeen Ali (54 off 82), Joe Root (84 off 95), Harry Brook (61 off 100), Ben Stokes (51 off 74), and Jonny Bairstow (99* off 81) – registered 50-plus scores as England reached 592, taking a lead of 275 runs. Josh Hazlewood completed a five-wicket haul whereas Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc scalped two wickets each. The remaining one went to skipper Pat Cummins.
Australia started their second innings on Day 3 itself and reached 113/4 at stumps on Day 3. Mark Wood has led the carnage for England this time with three wickets to his name already. At the same time, Chris Woakes has scalped the key wicket of David Warner. Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and Travis Head have all fallen into Wood’s trap. Marnus Labuschagne is currently out in the middle for Australia with 44* off 88 balls. Accompanying him is Mitchell Marsh at 1* off 27 balls as the visitors trail by 162 runs. However, the story of the Day was Jonny Bairstow’s unlucky outing. His 99* off 81 has invited plenty of interest from fans.
Here’s how fans reacted:
https://twitter.com/Umair___56/status/1682389243711086594
https://twitter.com/ankiiiiiiTTT/status/1682388954304360448
Why take single on the 3rd ball?
— Ashutosh Kumar (@Ashutos91245082) July 21, 2023
What heartbreaking mufa
He is enjoying and cheer’s to the crowd
We indians are really obsessed with milestones 😐— Swastideep (@Twi_Swastideep) July 21, 2023
Against the spirit of the game. Anderson should be call back and let Jonny complete his century.
— Siddharth Chhaya – સિદ્ધાર્થ છાયા 🇮🇳 (@siddtalks) July 21, 2023
Shameful cricket from Australia.
Getting the wicket of a tailender when the other batsman is on 99.
Clearly against the spirit of the game 😑— Balwant kaith (@KaithBalwant) July 21, 2023
Chutiya ek run daud gaya nhi to boundary marke century kar leta
— Rajkumar Sahu (@Rajkumar45Sahu) July 21, 2023
Life is so unfair, av ek tuk tuk krke 100 banayega and every1 will hail him, or Jo actual me 100 deserve krta tha use nasib nh hua 😔
— Jaise ko taisa 🤷 (@candidtruth12) July 21, 2023