Australia and England are locked in the final chapter of the Ashes 2023 series at Kennington Oval in London. On the second day of the Test, Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja were steadily building their partnership after resuming at 61/1. Labuschagne, in particular, was being cautious at the crease, scoring just 9 runs off 82 balls.
In an attempt to break Labuschagne’s rhythm, England’s Stuart Broad came up with a cheeky plan. Before the fifth ball of the 42nd over by Mark Wood, Broad casually walked toward the striker’s end and flipped the bails, leaving both Australian batters amused and smiling at each other.
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However, the fun didn’t last long, as Labuschagne was dismissed off the very next ball, edging Wood’s delivery to Joe Root at first slip. Following the dismissal, Broad showed sportsmanship by patting Khawaja on the back, but Labuschagne seemed displeased with his wicket gone.ย
๐ก๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ: Stuart Broad
๐ข๐ฐ๐ฐ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Mind Games ExtraordinaireIncredible, Broady ๐๐ #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/MdeuNgrN2F
โ England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023
Stuart Broad’s enthusiasm continued in the second session as he struck twice in two overs. First, he trapped Usman Khawaja lbw for 47, becoming the first English bowler to pick 150 wickets in the Ashes. He then claimed the crucial wicket of Travis Head, getting him caught by Jonny Bairstow.
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Stuart Broad’s double strike rattled Australia, reducing them to 185/7 in the second session. The 37-year-old seamer has been in fine form throughout the series, emerging as the highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets from nine innings at an average of 28.15.
The fifth and final Test of the Ashes series is witnessing some enthralling moments, and Broad’s bowling prowess is proving to be a crucial factor in England’s performance. As the series unfolds, both teams are putting up a fierce fight for the prestigious Ashes title.
