In addition to the two hundred, Virat Kohli usage of former England fast bowler Stuart Broad’ method of flipping the bails to get a wicket was another fascinating event that turned into the day’s high point. the first Test of the two-match series at SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa led India by 11 runs at the end of Day 2. Dean Elgar led his team to 256/5 at stumps on Day 2 after shining at the bat, amassing his 14th Test century (140* off 211). KL Rahul helped India score 245 in their first innings earlier in the day when he resumed his innings on 70* and finished his eighth Test century (101 off 137).
Before South Africa’s innings reached its 29th over, in which Tony de Zorzi was about to take on Jasprit Bumrah, the former captain of India flipped the bails at the striker’s end.
And to the surprise of everyone, Zorzi was removed on the final ball of the over, edging one straight to a third slip as India broke the 93-run tie. In Bumrah’s very next delivery, the South African batsman sliced one back onto his stumps, further dismissing Petersen. Broad responded to Virat Kohli move by inquiring as to whether the ruse was successful in securing a wicket for India.
‘Bail’ wizardry ft. our very own KING! 😆😁
Tune-in to Day 2 of the #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/MYUeJ2WGTO— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2023
With success @imVkohli ?! https://t.co/yKmPajb2sg
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) December 27, 2023
Interestingly, in the fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 at Kennington Oval in London, Broad employed the superstitious bail-flip move, which enabled England to take two wickets throughout the match. Prior to the fifth delivery of Australia’s first innings’ 43rd over, on Day 2, he attempted the trick by flipping the bail at the striker’s end.
Stuart Broad rejected Todd Murphy and Marnus Labuschagne using a bail-flip technique.
Mark Wood discovered Labuschagne’s bat’s outside edge on the subsequent delivery, which went straight to Joe Root at slips. Day 5: Australia needed to score 55 runs to win, while England needed to take the final two wickets to win. Changing his fortune once more, Broad elected to flip the bails and found the edge of Todd Murphy’s bat to take his first wicket of the second innings. Had he not picked the wicket, he would have been delivering his final over of the Test match.
𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Stuart Broad
𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Mind Games ExtraordinaireIncredible, Broady 😂👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/MdeuNgrN2F
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023
By taking the final wicket of the Test match and helping England tie the series 2-2, the seasoned seamer celebrated his farewell to international cricket in spectacular fashion. When discussing the unusual method, Broad disclosed that it was an Australian method of altering one’s fortune, which he frequently observed off-spinner Nathan Lyon utilizing.
In 20 years’ time village cricketers searching for a wicket will still be swapping the bails over and trying to ‘do a Broad.’ If that’s not sporting immortality, I don’t know what is. Thanks for everything @StuartBroad8 🏏 pic.twitter.com/UoNM7U2uSt
— Jason Keen (@Jason_Keen) July 31, 2023