BEN STOKES has been praised by England cricket fans after he managed to “fake out” India into wasting a review on the final day of the first Test at Headingley.
England successfully chased down 371 off the back of an astonishing 149 from Ben Duckett and won by five wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Fans believe Ben Stokes baited India into wasting a review during the first test[/caption]
Fine margins can often be the difference in these games, and it can be argued that was exactly the case yesterday when captain Stokes won the mind games to make India waste a review.
Stokes, who became captain in 2022, went to the crease just after 4pm with England still needing 118 to win and 4:30pm tea time fast approaching.
The 34-year-old went for a reverse sweep but appeared to have possibly misjudged it and was then seen shaking his hand after India appealed for the wicket.
On the field the decision was given as not out, with India then asking for a review.
If the ball had been seen to strike his hand he would have been out, but it turned out the ball had actually hit him on the arm.
The decision left fans on social media convinced he had baited them into burning a review.
Taking to social media, one fan said: “Stokes shaking his hands all about knew exactly what he was doing there to get the decision reviewed.”
A second said: “Stokes gently shaking the hand they think it’d hit so they review is hilarious work.”
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A third added: “Ben Stokes has faked India out. Hit him on the arm, he was laughing with Root, showing him the mark.”
Another said: “Ben Stokes rubbing his hand when it’s hit halfway up his arm to provoke an Indian review – 4D captaincy.”
A fifth said: “Unreal sandbagging there from Stokes to get them to burn a review by pretending his hand was hurt.”
Speaking on the win, Stokes said: “We’ve got some good memories here over the last few years and this is another one to add to it.
“It was an awesome Test match to be part of, going down to the last hour on day five and chasing a big total. Pretty special start to the series.
“Duckett was unbelievable. The pressure of the fourth innings is tough and batting is hard enough, especially in England.
“So that partnership between Zak [Crawley] and Duckett was just incredible, they set us up brilliantly. Those two complement each other so well.
“Duckett has got the big score that contributed towards us winning this game, but I thought the way Crawley was able to stay composed and stay in the moment was also very important to this win.”
