Like England’s former all-rounder, Ian Botham, Stokes has an uncanny knack of taking wickets with deliveries that appear innocuous.Credit: Getty Images
Stokes even had his head in both of hands, then opened his hands as if to say: “What was that?” to teammate Joe Root, before dropping his hands to his hips in a stunned tea-cup pose after all-rounder Will Jacks flicked a mid-tracker and was caught by Archer in the fine-leg region.
Jacks, who top scored with 84 in the Lions’ 382, was also flummoxed by his own poor shot, holding that pose for a brief moment.
England could argue that these dismissals highlight why the developing Lions are here – because they need to experience Australian pitches and learn to deal with a rising ball.
Stokes’ half-trackers could be a tactic he uses against Australia on what is likely to be an Optus Stadium deck with more pace and bounce than Lilac Hill.
But it’s also likely he doesn’t expect the home team’s top-order to fall to such inept shots, raising the question – as English supporters have done on social media in response to these six dismissals – why did the tourists opt against playing an Australian state XI in a serious match?
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England great Ian Botham has repeatedly said the tourists should have had a tougher preparation by playing a state side, describing their current schedule as “bordering on arrogance”.
However, former Australian batsman Simon Katich says England’s decision could work in their favour, for it has not given any Australians the chance to poke holes in their game first-hand in local conditions.
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