ASHES NOTEBOOK: Ben Stokes proves to be England's ultimate utility man
ASHES NOTEBOOK: Ben Stokes proves to be England’s ultimate utility man, pre-match kit swap had unique meaning behind it… while bucket hat fever has seen 10,000 sold!
- READ: England ended day three of the final Test with a 377 lead over Australia
- There was plenty going on off the pitch too, which Mail Sport has rounded up
- STUART BROAD COLUMN: Playing my last game in an Ashes Test was important
England will head into Sunday with a golden chance to level the Ashes after a positive Saturday at the Oval.
On a day which will be remembered most for Stuart Broad announcing his imminent retirement from cricket, there was an enthralling battle on the pitch, too.
There was, however, plenty happening off the pitch with bucket hat fever sweeping the Ashes and a special dedication to a pre-game kit swap.
Mail Sport’s DAVID COVERDALE picks out some highlights from the Oval on Saturday.
STOKES LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Ben Stokes proved himself England’s ultimate utility man as he promoted himself up to No 3 following Moeen Ali’s groin injury.
Much is made of Moeen having batted everywhere from one to nine in Tests, but Stokes has filled every position from opener (one rather than two) all the way through to 11.
It was also notable to see the skipper bowling spin again on the outfield before play, under the watchful eye of England’s spin-bowling coach Jeetan Patel.
Stokes was spotted practising his off-spinners in the build-up to the Test and he has admitted he might one day have to turn to slow bowling to prolong his career as an all-rounder, in light of his long-standing knee issues.
Ben Stokes reliability as a utility man to help England’s cause showed itself again on Saturday
BROTHERS COME BACK DOWN TO EARTH
One day you are fielding for England in the Ashes, the next you are getting out for a duck in club cricket.
That was the case for both Surrey brothers Tommy and George Ealham on Saturday, who experienced a chastening return for Cranleigh in the Surrey Championship Premier Division, fresh from 12th-man duties at the Oval.
Opening the batting, Tommy was caught for a third-ball duck against Reigate Priory, while his elder sibling George – who was involved in the near run-out of Steve Smith on Friday – fell lbw after failing to score from 13 balls.
Rock-bottom Cranleigh were all out for 40 as Reigate raced to a nine-wicket victory in 5.3 overs. How the Ealhams must have wished they were back with England at the Oval.
A DAY NOT TO FORGET
Fans may have wondered what was going on when England players lined up for the start of the day wearing the wrong whites.
Captain Stokes donned a jersey with Jonny Bairstow’s name and number on the back, while great mates Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson also swapped shirts.
This was no error or in-joke, however. Instead, it was a powerful statement to draw attention to the confusion often experienced by people living with dementia – on a day dedicated to the Alzheimer’s Society, under the strapline, ‘Cricket should be unforgettable’.
Sky Sports pundits wore the charity’s forget-me-not flower pin badge, which were on sale around the ground, with supporters also urged to donate to the good cause.
Players wearing kits of team-mates was done on a day dedicated to the Alzheimer’s Society
WHERE LIFE’S A GAS
The next time Test cricket is played at the Oval, the ground will have a very different backdrop. That is because the iconic gasholder, which has overlooked Surrey’s stadium since the mid-19th century, is being turned into a giant apartment block.
While the lattice frame of the 135ft structure will remain, the inside of it will become flats as part of Berkeley Homes’ enormous Oval Village redevelopment.
SOLD BY THE BUCKETLOAD!
England’s bucket hats have proved as popular with fans as they have the players, completely selling out on the ECB’s website.
The ECB report that nearly 10,000 of the £25 items have been sold this summer. Street sellers have also crashed in on the craze, flogging cheaper knock-offs outside Ashes venues throughout the series.
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