Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has defended Jonny Bairstow’s controversial punch that sealed victory in the second Ashes Test, pointing out that the England wicketkeeper has attempted similar dismissals.
England supporters were left crying as Bairstow was handed off after scoring just 10 points in a thrilling final day at Lord’s.
With the game on the line, Bairstow left his crease after leaving a delivery from Cameron Green and Australian wicket-keeper Alex Carey took his chance and threw the ball onto the stumps to send the batsman off before the umpire had called ‘over’ .
It ultimately proved extremely costly as England rose quickly in sight of an improbable victory before being dismissed just 43 runs short.
The crowd at Lord’s became unruly, chanting ‘the same old Aussies, always out of tune’, while England captain Ben Stokes – who hit a whopping 155 runs – claimed the Aussies should have withdrawn their appeal.
“If I had been captain, I would have thought carefully about the spirit of the game. It was the winning moment for Australia. Would I want to win a match that way? The answer for me is no,” he said.
Bairstow was shocked by the dismissal, believing the game was over and the ball dead before leaving his crease to speak to fellow batsman Ben Stokes.
The scoreboard shows how crucial the wicket was as England progressed to an improbable win with Bairstow last of the recognized batsmen
Carey has received a lot of criticism, with England pace bowler Stuart Broad telling him on the pitch that the act is all he will be remembered for
However, Vision has shown that Bairstow tried to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne by throwing the ball into the stumps when the Aussie was momentarily out of whack after a pitch – but failed to execute as well as Carey.
It should be noted that Labuschagne did not relax after facing the last ball of the over as Bairstow did when Carey took his wicket – which is central to England’s argument that the act was not in the spirit of the game.
Aussie captain Pat Cummins said there were other occasions in the match – and in other Tests – where Bairstow tried similar tactics.
“I thought it was fair,” Cummins said.
“You see Jonny doing it all the time, he did it [on] day one to Davey Warner. He did it in 2019 with Steve [Smith].
“It’s very common for goalkeepers to do when they see a batter keep leaving their crease.
‘[Carey] credit to him, he saw the chance, I think Jonny did it a few balls in advance, rolled it by the stumps, Jonny left his crease, leave the rest to the umpires.’
Just got home and see the #Bairstow incident. Totally agree Hoggy he put his foot back in and held it for a second to respect the World Cup and that’s all it takes as respect. 23 years as a World Cup that’s all a batter needs to hold a little foot. Poor, it’s not the spirit of the game. #As2023 https://t.co/toiuBYxhpF
— Paul Nixon (@Paulnico199) July 2, 2023
ESPNCricinfo writer David Hobbs tweeted that Bairstow is also trying to get hitters out using the method in County Cricket.
‘If Bairstow complained. except in the heat of the moment, it would be ridiculous, as it must be attempted half a dozen times every weekend in Yorkshire club matches. It’s just that the wk [wicketkeeper] rarely strikes because of the large gloves,” he wrote.
However, former Aussie spinner Brad Hogg disagreed, saying the Aussies had taken the “spirit of the game” too far.
‘Bairstow wicket, not out. Spirit of cricket pushed to the limit. Not trying to run, end of over, scratched crease then walked for regulation BS chat between overs between batsman,” he tweeted.
Aussie captain Pat Cummins celebrates the Bairstow wicket as the England batsman looks stunned and remains on the field for the umpire’s decision
Stokes and Cummins (pictured after Sunday’s game) could slip off each other’s Christmas card lists this year after a fiery second Test won by the Aussies
Travis Head has words with a clearly agitated Bairstow before the England batsmen trudge away from Lord’s
Former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon agreed with Hogg, saying they were two different examples, as Bairstow had planted his back foot to signal play was over before Carey threw down his stumps.
“Just got home and saw the #Bairstow incident. Totally agree Hoggy, he put his foot back in and held it for a second to respect the World Cup and that’s all it takes as respect,” he tweeted.
’23 years as a World Cup that all it takes from a batter is a little something to hold on to. Poor, it’s not the spirit of the game.’
English sailor Stuart Broad was also caught on the stump microphone reacting angrily to Carey after the incident.
That’s all you’ll ever be remembered for. That,’ he said.
Cricket fans were angry and divided over the incident.
“You know what’s funny, bunch of splashes, Jonny Bairstow tried the exact same thing IN THIS TEST MATCH. And the last series! Hahahahaha, bunch of crooks,” an Aussie fan fired at English critics.
Aussie cheats. Send them home. And fire the umpires,’ an English fan bellowed.
What do you think? Vote in our poll on the Bairstow stumping incident above.