The Australian team had almost secured an invincible milestone in the Ashes, but just could not manage to cross the finishing line. During the third match, the hosts had 359 runs to chase as their target at Leeds. Tim Paine’s team struck two wickets, giving the Three Lions a chance to tie the game series at 1-1 when they fell short in the first match by a total of 251 runs in Edgbaston.
Ben Stokes, the all-rounder, flooded the cricket headlines when the England team won its maiden World Cup a month ago during its format of 50 overs. He stole the match thunder again with his unrivalled 135 score. At the last wicket, he secured 76 runs next to Jack Leach for a phenomenal victory. The Three Lions have never been defeated at the Ashes on their land since the year 2001, when former Australian Steve Waugh’s team conquered the game at 4-1.
The Australians were disappointed at their near-win in Leeds. Nathan Lyon , the off-spinner, was immensely pitied for almost claiming (and failing miserably) the final wickets from England when they needed only two runs to win.
Missed runout with rejected LBW
It happened first with Stokes when he offered the reverse sweep. Leach had gone way past to secure the single and had to retreat halfway after Pat Cummins threw the ball to Lyon, who did not manage the easy catch.
Within this same over, the bowler had trapped Ben in front. However, Joel Wilson, the umpire, rejected the appeal. According to the replays, the ball must have struck the wickets, leaving Australia helpless against the umpire’s word. Lyon was agitated over the two mishaps, similar to Brett Lee during the enthralling 2005 match lost by Australia by just a few runs.
Ricky Ponting, the former captain for Australia, had led the team during the 2005 match series. As mentioned by cricket.com.au, he asked the team to support Lyon in overcoming his disappointment, as he must feel awful for failing his team when victory was right at his fingertips.
Ponting also said on an optimistic note that losing is a part of the game. He praised Nathan Lyon for winning many games in the past, with his 350-odd wickets in a rising career. Ponting offered encouraging words in the light of how all players experience the lingering guilt when they drop an easy catch and miss run-outs or strike a wrong aim at just the wrong moment.
It is up to the team members to boost the morale of Nathan Lyon . Ponting added his support for the Kangaroos, saying that the team would definitely show great resilience as always. The players can recover and build each other up if they believe in how far they have come. Ponting also mentioned that the team had a strong potential of winning at Lord’s too, had it considered the reviews and not missed the catches. The fourth match Test is scheduled for 4th September, in Old Trafford.
