Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad’s bizarre ‘bail magic’ results in Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal on Day 2

The Ashes 2023 is in its final chapter as Australia and England are playing the fifth and final Test of the series at the Kennington Oval in London. The second day of the match saw Australia resume their innings on 61/1 with Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja at the crease. The duo began the day positively for Australia and built on their partnership. Labuschagne, however, was circumspect at the crease as he scored just 9 off 82 balls.

Seeing, Australia’s bulwark taking no chances, Stuart Broad came up with a cheeky plan to disturb his rhythm. The seamer casually walked towards the striker’s end before the fifth ball of the 42nd over by Mark Wood and flipped the bails. The tactic left both Australian batters amused as they were spotted smiling at each other. 

However, there were no smiles on their faces as off the very next ball as Labuschagne ended up edging Wood straight to Joe Root, who took a spectacular catch diving to his left at first slip. Following the dismissal, Broad went up to Khawaja at the non-striker’s end and gave him a pat on his back while Labuschagne looked displeased.

Watch Broad’s masterplan here:

𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Stuart Broad
𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Mind Games Extraordinaire

Incredible, Broady 😂👏 #EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/MdeuNgrN2F

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023

Broad became first English bowler to pick 150 wickets in Ashes

After playing a part in Labuschagne’s dismissal, Broad returned in the second session pumped up as he struck twice in two overs. The 37-year-old first trapped Usman Khawaja in front of the stumps for 47 and became the first English bowler to pick 150 wickets in the Ashes. He further returned to get the big wicket of Travis Head as he made him edge one straight to Jonny Bairstow to inflict a double whammy on Australia. 

Broad’s double strike opened the floodgates for Australia as they were reduced to 185/7 in the second session. Notably, the Nottingham-born seamer is also the highest wicket-taker of the series so far with 20 wickets at an average of 28.15 from nine innings.