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In the ongoing, fiercely contested Ashes series, no-balls have helped rescue as many as three batsmen. Only after the initial instance of overstepping did it prove to be expensive. Twice, English bowlers found themselves on the losing side. Here are the three occasions in Ashes 2023 where hitters were out on no-balls.
Josh Hazlewood vs Chris Woakes
In the fourth test match, which was now taking place at Old Trafford in Manchester, Josh Hazlewood was the Australian team’s eleventh batter. During the 85th over of Australia’s batting innings, Chris Woakes, who was going for a five-wicket haul, came very close to recording his first Ashes fifer. Woakes’ happiness was short-lived as the on-field umpires were told of Woakes’ overstepping by the TV umpire. Due to his error, England conceded 13 more runs. In the 91st over, Woakes again struck out the same batter, giving him his maiden five-wicket haul.
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Usman Khawaja vs Stuart Broad
Usman Khawaja’s century in the first test match’s opening innings maintained his incredible streak of red-ball play, and it was already beginning to backfire on England when they decided to declare on the first day. Stuart Broad, who recently claimed his 600th wicket, threw a peach in the 81st over of the Australian batting innings to get rid of Khawaja, who was batting on 112 off 233 balls. The TV umpire alerted the on-field umpire about Broad’s error before Broad could celebrate. The error turned out to be expensive for Khawaja, who went on to score 141 runs off 321 balls. Khawaja’s 29 runs and Broad’s no-ball were two key elements in a game that was won by a slim margin on day 5.
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At the conclusion of the day’s play, Broad discussed his error. He said, “I’m not really a big no-ball bowler. I have probably bowled more today than in a Test match day before. There’s no excuse. But it is the first innings of an Ashes Test match, you have some big emotions there so you are trying to gain energy from the surface and maybe pushing a little bit too hard. It is something to be aware of.”
Joe Root vs Cameron Green
Only former captain Joe Root, an English batsman, was fortunate enough to score on a no-ball. During the second test match, Cameron Green was having a great time. On the first ball of the 39th over, the tall fast-bowling all-arounder struck out Ollie Pope with a bouncer. The former English captain was the target of a similar ruse. Although Root handled the first bouncer with care, he nicked the second bouncer to Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper. If Green hadn’t stepped out of his crease, it might have been his finest over. Root was given a second chance, but he was unable to take advantage of it, as he was dismissed after just scoring 10 runs off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. Root was dismissed by a bouncer once more.
Also Read: Top 5 Super Over Performances In The History Of Cricket
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