Happy birthday Stokes: England skipper gifted a ‘no ball’ vs NZ | Watch

Ben Stokes had two reasons to celebrate on Saturday. One, he turned 31 and two he got dismissed off a no ball. The England skipper scored 54 runs off 110 balls as his side rushed to 216/5 at stumps on Day 3. They need 61 runs to win the first Test match against New Zealand at the Lord’s Stadium, London. 

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Stokes is on way of getting his first win as England Test skipper. After taking a nine-run lead in the first innings, they managed to dismiss Kane Williamson and co for 285 runs. 

The hosts were reduced to 69/4 after 20 overs when Stokes walked in. Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson struck thrice and Trent Boult got a wicket. Former skipper Joe Root was batting at 10. 

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In the fourth delivery of the 27th over, bowled by Colin de Grandhomme, Ben Stokes was castled by a short-pitched delivery. Batting at 1 off 18 balls, the 31-year-old advanced to go big but ended up chopping that one. He was disappointed and took the long walk back to the dug-out. 

That is when an umpire called him back, saying de Grandhomme had overstepped. Umpire Michael Gough signalled a no ball and the English skipper was back at the crease. 

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The no-ball was a gift to Stoksey and England on the captain’s birthday as he went on score his 27th half-century in 106 balls. He hit spinner Ajaz Patel for two maximums and one boundary in the 49th over, which went for 17 runs.  

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“A huge reprieve. Yet more drama in this Test match,” the England and Wales Cricket Board captioned Stokes’ dismissal video on Twitter.

Stokes was dismissed in the 50th over. He tried to guide Jamieson over the cordon but ended up handing a catch to Blundell. The English skipper hit five boundaries and three sixes. 

In New Zealand’s second innings, Daryl Mitchell scored 108 runs while Tom Blundell made 96.