England dropped five catches on day two of the Gabba day/night Test, squandering the chance to take a grip on a game that is a near-must win if they are to regain the Ashes. Ben Gardner ranks the spurned chances from most forgivable to least.
Over 63.5: Josh Inglis dropped by Ben Duckett off Ben Stokes
Runs added after drop: 2
The second of Duckett’s two drops was England’s hardest chance of the day, Josh Inglis flashing hard and the ball flying low-ish to his right at gully. Still, for a pedigree fielder, it was catchable – it wasn’t right at turf level and he didn’t have to dive full stretch. And for England to compete, everything needed to stick. Although in this case, it didn’t cost much, Inglis bowled a few balls later.
Over 56.2: Alex Carey dropped by Ben Duckett off Brydon Carse
Runs added after drop: 46*
Running forward, Duckett had to judge the loopy flight of the ball and dive low to the ground. It stuck for a moment, and then popped out. It was as if Alex Carey were providing catching practice, leaning back and guiding the ball towards Duckett at gully. But, as is clear from England’s fielding effort in general, they could do with more practice. Still, this was one of the more understandable drops, and while it felt more frustrating coming just after a wicket, it was assuaged by Will Jacks taking a blinder a couple of balls later.
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Over 69.2: Alex Carey dropped by Joe Root off Gus Atkinson
Runs added after drop: 21*
We can forgive Root for this, of course. Not just because it was a tough chance, diving to his right and getting his finger tips to the flying edge, but also because, come on, it’s Joe Root. No fielder has claimed more Test catches, and he’s definitely in credit, over his career and in the game after his magnificent day one century. But should it have been Root’s catch to drop? Those chances which fly between keeper and slip are generally for the former to take responsibility. Instead, to compound a tough start to his first Test tour of Australia, Jamie Smith’s feet were rooted in concrete.
Over 8.2: Travis Head dropped by Jamie Smith off Jofra Archer
Runs added after drop: 30
Jamie Smith’s actual drop was worse, for reasons beyond the shelled chance itself. He had to change direction sharpish after a thick edge but still got to the ball easily enough. But it was everything else that stung. This was Travis Head, England’s slayer in the first Test, given an early life after being kept quiet. His 30 runs after his reprieve came off 18 balls and set the tone for the day. And this was Jofra Archer bowling an absolute beauty, already celebrating, only for joy to turn to despair in an instant.
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Over 68.3: Michael Neser dropped by Brydon Carse off Jofra Archer
Runs added after drop: 8
The worst of the lot. It wasn’t quite Denly in Hamilton, but it wasn’t far off, Michael Neser flubbing a shot off the back foot on the off-side just to Carse’s right. In truth, he barely had to move. And yet the ball crashed through his hands, right into his mid-riff, and hit the deck. Archer knew better than to celebrate early this time.
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