- Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal was a controversial moment in The Ashes
- The artist has again incited the English supporters with a tribute to that dismissal
- England fans and media personality Piers Morgan are less than amused
The controversial Ashes series between Australia and England may have been last year, but one Australian artist isn’t letting them forget the drama of the second Test – and media personality Piers Morgan is not impressed.
Australian artist James Brennan has submitted his painting ‘Like Taking Ashes from a baby’ for the Bald Archy Awards, the light-hearted version of the famous Archibald Prize.
His entry focuses on the controversial second Test between the old foes at Lord’s last year England batsman Jonny Bairstow was dismissed under unusual circumstances.
Bairstow, who played a key role in England’s chase of 371 in the fourth innings, had just dodged a harmless bouncer from Australian bowler Cameron Green when he inadvertently stepped out of his crease.
Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey quickly seized the opportunity and threw the ball towards the stumps. The incident was investigated by third referee Marais Erasmus, who promptly sent Bairstow off.
The painting shows Australian captain Pat Cummins with The Ashes while Jonny Bairstow and Piers Morgan are in diapers and have their pacifiers spit up on the floor
Cummins celebrates Bairstow’s stumping in the second Test at Lord’s that proved decisive
Bairstow was less than impressed with the dismissal, while Morgan said Australia had violated the unwritten ‘Spirit of Cricket’.
That led to heated arguments between the captains of both teams and a chorus of boos from the usually courteous crowd at Lord’s.
It also led to Morgan declaring that Australia had violated the unwritten ‘Spirit of Cricket’.
Glenday’s painting captures the essence of that moment in the second Ashes Test, with Australian captain Pat Cummins holding the Ashes with a halo around his head.
At his feet, Bairstow and Morgan are depicted as babies, who have spit up their dolls on the floor.
Needless to say, Morgan was unimpressed when he was tagged in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that featured the painting.
“Maybe I should buy this to stop some stubborn Australian from hanging it on their toilet wall,” he posted.”
Lord’s members booed Australian players and called them cheats after the incident involving Bairstow
Morgan has been ruthless since the incident in portraying the England side as victims and accusing the Aussies of misconduct.
Cummins does not regret the dismissal, which took place in accordance with the rules of the game
However, many Aussie cricket fans love the artist’s take on the moment that swayed the Ashes in Australia’s favour.
“Remove photos of King Charles from every RSL, town hall and school in Australia and replace them with this masterpiece,” one person wrote.
‘Brilliant! The strata will no doubt feel good about this,” another added.
“BRB, I’m starting a go-fund me page to buy this masterpiece,” another posted.
However, many English supporters were less than impressed.
‘Imagine how much more insufferable you would be if you could actually win a series in England.’ one posted, pointing out that Australia had drawn the series to retain The Ashes.
“Didn’t Australia cheat?” asked another bot.
The winner of the $10,000 prize will be announced in March and the iconic Ashes tribute has every chance of taking home the big prize, with artist Brennan previously winning the Bald Archy in 2016.
Matildas Sam Kerr, Mackenzie Arnold and Mary Fowler have also been immortalized in paint for the awards following their FIFA Women’s World Cup heroics.