Watch: Mitchell Starc gave Ben Stokes a reprieve in the first over after lunch on day three of the Kia Oval Test, dropping the England captain over the fine-leg fence.
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Apart from the scoring rate, days two and three have followed a similar pattern so far, with both sides losing one wicket in the opening session, and then losing another soon after the break. Australia could have had a second breakthrough, as England did, but Starc let off Stokes, promoted to No.3 with Moeen Ali injured.
The England captain hooked Josh Hazlewood third ball after the interval, and would have had his heart in his mouth as the ball swirled towards the waiting Starc. Stokes had kept his composure to take a catch in a similar position to close out day two, but Starc failed at the first hurdle, the ball bouncing into and out of his hands and over the rope.
To add insult to injury, he received a gloating volley from the England fans stationed just on the other side of the fence.
Watch Mitchell Starc drop Ben Stokes below:
Ben Stokes. First over after lunch. SIX! 🚀 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/uajezbxqm3
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 29, 2023
