Ashes 2021-22 | Twitter reacts as lucky David Warner gets reprieved by Ben Stokes no-ball

12/09/2021

Ben Stokes was denied a wicket in his very first over on his Test comeback, when he had David Warner bowled off a no-ball on Day 2 of the first Ashes Test at The Gabba on Thursday. Replays showed that Stokes had overstepped on each of the previous three balls too, which were missed by the TV umpire.

The incident occurred in the 13th over of Australia’s innings, when Stokes breached Warner’s defence with a full ball coming in, which hit the batter’s pad and crashed onto the stumps. Stokes was almost seen aborting his celebration, perhaps being aware that he had overstepped, which was confirmed on television replays.

The replays further indicated that Stokes had overstepped on each of the previous three balls of the over, which were not called by the TV umpire.

According to the ICC playing conditions for the World Test Championship, "The third umpire shall review television replays of the bowler's front foot landing and, if he/she is satisfied that any of these three conditions have not been met, he/she shall immediately advise the bowler's end umpire who shall in turn immediately call and signal No-ball".

Former ICC umpire Simon Taufel said that the umpires are simply meant to check each and every ball.

"They are supposed to be checking every ball. I really can't explain it," Taufel told Channel Seven.

Warner, who was on 17 at that point, continued to ride his luck and was dropped by Rory Burns off Ollie Robinson in the slips when on 48, before getting to his 31st Test fifty.

What an escape!

Stokes bowls Warner! LOL JK
— Kayo Sports (@kayosports)

Utterly Shocking!

Time for a 2nd No-Ball only umpire on the field ?!?

The technology for the TV umpire to call no-balls live isn't working at the Gabba.

Ben Stokes overstepped 𝟭𝟰 times in the first session - just one was called on-field, plus one on review.
— Farong (@thundhaa)

Wow!!!

Ben Stokes into the elite list of bowlers getting Warner out but then reverse the decision due to no ball - Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Wahab Riaz, Naseem Shah are few of them.
— Younus Basheer (@YounusBasheer_)

Agree?

The problem with no balls not being called on field is the bowler then doesn’t have a chance to adjust. Stokes doesn’t realise he’s over the line if it’s not being called and therefore will continue that run until he gets success. Umpires job to be warning the bowler.
— Craig Rhodes (@TheCraigRhodes)

HAHA!