Ashes 2017/18: Watch: Cameron Bancroft Takes A Nasty Blow While Fielding At Short Leg

Everyone present at the Gabba on the second day of the ongoing Ashes Test had their heart in their mouth when England batsman Dawid Malan hit a fierce pull shot off Mitchell Starc which would have inflicted a serious injury on debutant Cameron Bancroft who was fielding at short leg. Australia’s ploy of peppering Malan with short-pitched stuff would have surely backfired but Bancroft was saved by the grills of his helmet while

The nasty incident took place in the 99th over when Starc’s short ball was pulled viciously by the left-handed batsman.  And before Bancroft could react, the ball had hit on the side of his grills and before hitting him on his shoulder. Replay, however, showed another side of Bancroft’s personality as the the brave youngster didn’t flinch at all, keeping his eyes on the ball till the last moment in an attempt to grab it. Later, vice-captain David Warner was seen rubbing the spot which was hit by the ball.

Here is a clip of that dangerous incident:

Ouch! Bancroft is OK after copping one in close.#ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/e0YrbKqWQv

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 24, 2017

Meanwhile, the series-opener is finely poised after Steve Smith’s unbeaten fifty helped the hosts to recover from the early setbacks and  finish the day on 165 for 4. In reply to England’s first innings total, Australia were staring down the barrel after being reduced to 76 for 4 but Smith scored a fine fifty and was well supported by Shaun Marsh to help the team close the day without suffering any further hiccup.

Earlier, in the day, England were all out for 302 in their first innings. Resuming the day on 196 for four, the visitors started the proceeding on a confident note with Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali sharing a 50-run stand before the hosts took wickets in clusters.

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets each while off-spinner Nathan Lyon accounted for a couple of dismissals. For the visitors, James Vince top-scored with 83 while Mark Stoneman and Malan too crossed the 50-run-mark.