England’s Ben Stokes caught laughing after ball slams into his stump but the bails DON’T fall off! 

England batsman Ben Stokes bursts out laughing after the ball slams into his stump but the bails DON’T fall off… and the hapless Ashes umpire mistakenly tries to give him out LBW!

  • Ben Stokes was bowled by Australia’s Cameron Green – but the bails stayed on
  • Green’s rapid delivery hit Stokes’ off-stump but the England star was spared
  • Umpire Paul Reiffel bizarrely gave out for lbw – which was overturned via review
  • Stokes was seen laughing his head off after seeing the replay on the big screen
  • The England all-rounder went on to get a half-century on day three in Sydney 


Ben Stokes inexplicably survived being bowled out on day three of the fourth Ashes Test as Australia bowler Cameron Green’s effort hit his stumps – but the bails didn’t fall off.

Stokes decided to leave Green’s rasping delivery midway through the second session in Sydney – which saw him claim a half-century and a 100-partnership with Jonny Bairstow – but was left sweating when the ball clipped off-stump.

But Stokes’ bails at the Sydney Cricket Ground failed to come off and while Paul Reiffel raised his finger to give out for lbw, Stokes immediately reviewed and the Decision Review System (DRS) revealed the shocking turn of events.  

Ben Stokes couldn’t believe his luck as Cameron Green’s delivery hit his stumps but the bails stayed out

Green's delivery in Sydney on day three hit Stokes' off-stump but Stokes survived the delivery

Green’s delivery in Sydney on day three hit Stokes’ off-stump but Stokes survive the delivery

The England all-rounder was seen roaring with laughter after seeing the review come through on the big screen in Sydney – and the call allowed the visitors to get a slither of hope of a draw in the fourth Ashes Test.

England were in deep trouble Down Under once again as a shocking morning session saw the visitors slip to 36-4 as the final 11 overs before lunch saw three wickets fall to the tune of no runs scored.

Openers Haseeb Hameed and Zak Crawley were bowled out early in the session by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland respectively, before Joe Root was bowled out by Boland for a duck.

Australia's players were shocked after a DRS ruled out the umpire's bizarre call of out for lbw

Australia’s players were shocked after a DRS ruled out the umpire’s bizarre call of out for lbw

Dawid Malan’s dismissal from Cameron Green in the penultimate ball before lunch summed up a dismal opening period for Root’s side, who looked destined to a heavy defeat that would have taken them 4-0 down in the series.

Boland, who was still on a high from his third Test heroics in Melbourne which saw him collect a second-innings total of 6-7, had a record of 2-0 off four overs at lunch, with Green at 1-0 off 3.5 overs. 

But an unbroken post-lunch stand of 99 runs from Bairstow and Stokes hauled England back into the contest at tea – with that ‘ghost wicket’ proving to be a crucial moment in the session. 

Stokes (right) went on to hit a century that was only better by Jonny Bairstow's century

Stokes (right) went on to hit a century that was only better by Jonny Bairstow’s century

Stokes fell for 66 later in the evening session after completing his 50 alongside Bairstow, who completed his century with the penultimate ball of Friday’s play.

England, who were also helped by an entertaining cameo from Mark Wood, ended day three on 258-7, 158 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total.

Stokes’ fitness for the third day of the Sydney Test was a concern for England, with the 30-year-old picking up a right-side strain on day two.

The all-rounder grimaced through several big shots but Stokes fought through the pain to reach his half-century using 70 balls – a total which included eight fours.