‘Amazing how the world comes around’ - Ben Stokes reflects on dropping Nathan Lyon’s catch following loss in first Ashes Test

The ongoing Ashes 2023 series got off to a magnificent start as Pat Cummins-led Australia defeated England in their home, in what turned out to be a thriller. As the game went down the wire, it came down to skipper Cummins to chase down the target and propel the Aussies to a magnificent victory at Edgbaston.

One of the biggest turning points of the game was when England skipper Ben Stokes dropped a catch that could have dismissed Nathan Lyon. It is worth noting that Lyon went unbeaten alongside Cummins for 16 runs, and his knock was key for Australia in chasing the target down.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Stokes came forward and compared that moment to Lyon missing the run out back in 2019, when the English skipper propelled his side to a brilliant win in Headingley.

"It’s amazing. It’s sort of going back to Headingley, with Gaz (Lyon) dropping the ball over the stumps. It’s amazing how the world comes around, isn’t it? You know, I drop that catch, and, then, he’s not out in the end, being there as the winning team–being out there as a not-out batsman for Australia. It’s mad how things go around like that," Stokes said in the post-match press conference.

"God, I am reliving it in my head now. The ball was in my hand, just didn’t manage to make it stick. One of those could’ve, would’ve, should’ve moments. Would have been a good catch, though, wouldn’t it?" Stokes added.

"It's mad how things go around, isn't it?”

Four years ago, Nathan Lyon’s fumble allowed Ben Stokes to triumph in an #Ashes epic. At Edgbaston, roles were reversed pic.twitter.com/mZINdAFOoF

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 21, 2023

Pat Cummins’ resilient all-round performance led Australia to a memorable win

Aiming to chase down a target of 281 runs, Australia required 174 runs to win on Day 5. With Scott Boland and Usman Khawaja on strike. England struck early, as Boland was sent packing quite early in the day. However, it was Khawaja who was sensational once again for the Aussies. After a brilliant ton in the first innings, the 36-year-old, successfully produced an unbeaten stunning 55-run stand with Lyon in the second innings to take Australia over the line.

As England took wickets at regular intervals, it was the knock of skipper Pat Cummins that propelled Australia to a win. Making a brilliant partnership with Nathan Lyon, Cummins amassed 44* runs in 73 balls to win the first Test of the Ashes 2023.