After England’s bold declaration at 393/8 on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test, Australia’s Usman Khawaja lit up Edgbaston with a century to lead Australia’s reply that eventually fell seven runs short of the hosts’ first-innings total. But it required an unconventional field set-up by England captain Ben Stokes to dislodge the Aussie opener.
Khawaja was batting on 141, when Stokes deployed what can be described as an ‘umbrella field‘, with Ollie Robinson bowling to the left-handed batter.
With three close-in catchers on the off-side and three on the on-side, Stokes forced Khawaja to do something different against Robinson, which eventually led to his dismissal.
The field set-up, as can be seen in the below video, resembled an umbrella.
Khawaja was batting on 141, when Stokes deployed what can be described as an ‘umbrella field‘, with Ollie Robinson bowling to the left-handed batter.
With three close-in catchers on the off-side and three on the on-side, Stokes forced Khawaja to do something different against Robinson, which eventually led to his dismissal.
The field set-up, as can be seen in the below video, resembled an umbrella.
To disrupt the aggressive field, Khawaja attempted to hit over the close-in fielders but ended up losing his stumps to Robinson’s yorker from round the wicket.
England have of late been trying to play aggressive brand of Test cricket, famously called ‘Bazball’, inspired by their coach Brendon McCullum.
Following Khawaja’s departure, England wrapped up Australia’s innings in quick fashion at 386, which gave them a slender lead of 7 runs.
England lost openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett cheaply in their second innings, ending the rain-shortened day three at 28/2, which gave the hosts an overall lead of 35 runs.
