Ashes 2021 Live: On Wednesday, Ben Stokes warmed up for the 2nd Ashes Test against Australia with a barrage of bouncers against captain Joe Root. One hit Root on the helmet during Thursday’s net session. But for Stokes, it was about implementing the same in the Pink ball Test at Adelaide Oval. David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne were at the receiving end and his bouncers rattled him on Day 1 of the 2nd Test. Follow AUS vs ENG Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
In the practice on Wednesday, Ben Stokes was up against his Test skipper Joe Root. An excellent player against short and bouncers, Root was rattled. Stokes’ bouncer hit his helmet and Root was visibly rattled. While it was not too venomous to keep him out of the 2nd Test, Stokes was just warming up for the big occasion.
Ashes 2021 Live: After rattling Joe Root in practice, Ben Stokes’ barrage of bouncers trouble Warner & Labuschagne– Watch video
Ben Stokes hits Joe Root on the head in the Adelaide nets. Box office, always. pic.twitter.com/MBbac4RSsR
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) December 14, 2021
Ashes 2021 Live: After rattling Joe Root in practice, Ben Stokes’ barrage of bouncers trouble Warner & Labuschagne– Watch video
On Thursday, at Adelaide Oval, he did just that. With David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne on the crease, Ben Stokes began with a plethora of short balls to the latter. Then when Warner was on the strike, he upped the ante as his 140-ish deliveries had to be ducked.
🎙🎙🎙#Ashes pic.twitter.com/KNGhibosE5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2021
As pink kookaburra’s hard lacquer helps seamers and fast bowlers, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad did enough to contain the Aussies. The short ball percentage was way up. But despite a bright start, England weren’t too successful in the 1st session. After Marcus Harirs’ early wicket, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship to take Australia to 50-run mark just after the dinner break.
Ashes 2021 Live: After rattling Joe Root in practice, Ben Stokes’ barrage of bouncers trouble Warner & Labuschagne– Watch video
Warner and Labuschagne batted cautiously to make sure Australia doesn’t lose any further wickets in the opening session of the second Test. England also lost a review as due to the insufficient evidence the on-field decision was overturned as Warner survived.
Ahead of the start of the second Test, Cummins was ruled out of the game after being deemed a close contact of a person who received a positive COVID-19 test last night.
Steve Smith is leading the team in Cummins’ absence. Michael Neser has been included in the playing XI and he made his Test debut and Travis Head is the vice-captain.
Ashes 2021 Live: After rattling Joe Root in practice, Ben Stokes’ barrage of bouncers trouble Warner & Labuschagne– Watch video
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