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Ben Stokes slammed over horror call amid 'spirit of cricket' debate

The England captain has come under fire for a controversial moment in the third test.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read
Ben Stokes fielding the ball and Stokes smiling during the Ashes.
Ben Stokes (pictured) has caused controversy after clearly touching the boundary rope in an attempt to save a four, but getting away with it. (Images: Twitter/Getty Images)

Ben Stokes has come under fire amid the 'Spirit of Cricket' debate on the first day of the third test in Headingley after replays showed he clearly touched the boundary rope for a four, but bizarrely got away with it. Mitchell Marsh was the hero for Australia having ended his four-year absence from test cricket with a century off 102 balls to put Australia in a strong position in overcast conditions.

At 4-82, Marsh came to the crease and never looked back as he smacked England's bowlers for 17 boundaries and four sixes in a devastating display. His counter-attack saw him hit the fastest century for an Australian on English soil since 1902.

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As expected, Australia were greeted to a chorus of boos as David Warner and Usman Khawaja entered the field to bat. Steve Smith was also booed, despite walking out for his milestone100th test match.

The Barmy Army was in full force as Stuart Broad fired up the home crowd with the first wicket. Australia fought back through Marsh and Travis Head, but it was a moment involving England captain Stokes that had fans absolutely livid.

Much has been said of the 'Spirit of Cricket' since England claimed Pat Cummins should have withdrawn his appeal when Jonny Bairstow was stumped in the second Ashes test. Australia has remained steadfast with England continuously called out for their 'hypocrisy'.

However, Stokes has now found himself in the firing line after he didn't acknowledge a boundary when he clearly touched the rope when fielding the ball. While Stokes may have been unaware, despite clearly coming into contact with the boundary, the third umpire also didn't rule it a four when replays showed Stokes' arm hitting the rope as he battered the ball back.

Cricket fans fume at Ben Stokes over boundary call

Despite the bizarre umpire call, Australian fans were left fuming at Stokes for not conceding the four with many claiming he would have known. With so much made from England in playing with the 'Spirit of Cricket', fans were quick to jump on the moment. Some also defended Stokes saying it would be hard for him to tell if it was a boundary or not since it happened so quick.

Tensions were high at Headingley with Smith boos echoing around the ground when Smith came out to bat. It didn't get any quieter when he was forced to walk back to the dressing room for 22 runs.

The boos reached new decibels when Carey - the man responsible for the Bairstow stumping - walked out to the crease before the crowd started chanting: “Stand up if you hate Carey.” Fans also applauded when he was struck on the shoulder by a ferocious Chris Woakes bouncer.

Mitchell Marsh raises his bat to celebrate his century.
Mitchell Marsh (pictured) proved Australia's hero during day one. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

But it was the crowd treatment of Australia's milestone man Smith that many fans found unacceptable and very much not in the "spirit of cricket". Regardless of the drama, Australia ended the day in a strong position having replied to being bowled out for 263 with England on the ropes at 3-68.

Australian will be hoping for some tough conditions to start day 2 as Joe Root and Bairstow remain at the crease.

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