Stokes's amazing Ashes brain fade

If ever one moment encapsulated a batting collapse, it was Ben Stokes' comical run out in the middle of England's crumbling effort in losing the second Ashes Test.

The talented allrounder, who captain Alastair Cook nominated pre-series as ready to deliver an Andrew Flintoff-type performance for England, had so provided a brilliant counter-punching knock in the first innings, cracking a memorable 87.

Match Report: England v Australia, Lord's

If ever England needed a repeat, it was in the second dig as they stared down a humiliating series-leveling defeat.

The New Zealand-born Stokes most certainly did not deliver - in fact he erred in a fashion that even schoolchildren know to avoid.

Having faced three balls, the left-hander was yet to score when called through for a quick single by teammate Joe Root, who had flicked one off his pads onto the leg side. 

Highlights: Australia hammer England at Lord's

Stokes scampered down the 22-yard strip in quick time as Australia's Mitchell Johnson flung the ball from mid-wicket and cracked the stumps.

Replays confirmed the 24-year-old should've made his ground, but for committing cricket's cardinal sin - he hadn't grounded his bat to complete the run.

With both bat and foot in the air, Stokes was judged short of his ground and was given his marching orders for a three-ball duck, amid England's shocking collapse.

"It just wasn't great cricket, was it? If he had his time again, he'd have run different, "Cook lamented, before offering a pointed piece of advice.

"He'll only do it once."

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