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Ashes 2023 | 'I Don't Think I've Ever Seen...': Ponting On Stokes' Umbrella Field Against Khawaja

image-lj2ue5u6Unusual field placement from Ben Stokes [Twitter]

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is fully impressed with English skipper Ben Stokes' proactive tactics in the field.

Stokes was at his best with his innovative field design and aggressive bowling changes during Australia's first innings in the ongoing Edgbaston Test.

The best example of it came when Stokes decided to set-up an umbrella field for Australian opener Usman Khawaja on the 3rd morning of the ongoing Ashes Test.

Stokes decided to place six fielders- three on either side- in front of the square, and the move came off brilliantly as the usually unflappable Khawaja decided to step out and drive Ollie Robinson.

However, he ended up missing it altogether and saw his stumps being uprooted. Robinson was pumped, and he also proceeded to utter some choice words to the Aussie opener.

Watch the video here:

Ponting was hugely impressed with what he saw from Stokes, and he even went on to add that he hasn't seen a field set-up like that ever in his life.

"I don't think I've ever seen a field like that in Test cricket before. There was just an umbrella of fielders around in front of the batsman's face. And it was all about bowling a couple of slower balls and being able to bowl a yorker. And sure enough, Khawaja used his feet, gave himself some room, gave up his stumps, and the yorker knocked his off stump out of the ground," Ricky Ponting told the ICC.


"It's fantastic stuff. It's really refreshing for the Test game to see a team play this way and a captain happy to try everything he possibly."

Khawaja's dismissal proved to be a pivotal point in the game as England were able to wipe off the Aussie tale cheaply to give themselves a 7-run lead.

In response, England have lost five 2nd innings wickets, and have stretched their lead to 162.