Piers Morgan blows up after Aussie expert tells him Pat Cummins team deserves an apology for ‘absolute hooliganism’ seen at Lord’s after stupid scandal
- Broadcaster Piers Morgan left a red face on his own show
- Schooled in cricket rules by Aussie journalist Peter Lalor
- Lalor then suggested that Pat Cummins’ men owe an apology
Piers Morgan was given a lesson in the rules of cricket by Australian journalist Peter Lalor during an exchange on the broadcaster’s show – with the writer telling him that Pat Cummins’ team owes an apology for the ‘absolute hooliganism’ on display is at Lord’s.
Morgan, still outraged by Jonny Bairstow’s stumping on day five of the second Ashes Test, felt the Aussies were not acting in the spirit of the game following the now-infamous dismissal by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
He also felt that the win-at-all-costs mentality in Australia was a throwback to South Africa’s ‘Sandpapergate’ in 2018, where Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all banned by Cricket Australia for bringing the sport into disrepute .
When Lalor said he was ‘100 per cent comfortable’ with the umpires’ decision at Lord’s in Bairstow – which was correct under the rules of cricket – a red faced Morgan admitted that the outcome was technically correct.
“Anyone who plays cricket, Piers, knows the over isn’t over until the umpire calls it over,” Lalor began in response to Morgan’s suggestion that the Aussies were yet another “disgrace” in cricket circles around the world.
Steve Smith, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne celebrate the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow on day five of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s
The likes of Smith (in front) and Labuschagne (behind him) were subsequently targeted by agitated members in the Long Room at Lord’s
Piers Morgan went on a tirade on his show Uncensored – only to be schooled in the rules of cricket by Australian sports journalist Peter Lalor
Lalor (right) pointed out that the umpires got Bairstow’s decision right – then said the English public had no decorum at Lord’s
‘It was over! It was stupid! It was dull [from Bairstow]. It was stupid.’
Not done yet, Lalor stated that the England supporters in the house of cricket lacked decorum.
“You talk about the spirit of cricket, the spirit of cricket talks about accepting the referee’s authority, about creating a positive atmosphere in the way you play,” he added.
‘I think English cricket owes Australia an apology – there was absolute hooliganism at Lord’s by the members and the public, and it has been urged by your team to cover up the fact that they are 2-0 in the Ashes. ‘
Morgan fired back, saying the Aussies “had no right to lecture on how crowds treat opponents”, and brought up the Down Under scenes in the 2013/14 series when fans “screamed for my blood” when the fast bowler Brett Lee netting one of his ribs on live television.
Morgan also raised eyebrows when he stated that the late Shane Warne would have remained seriously unimpressed with Carey’s stumping of Bairstow with the game on the line.
Piers Morgan (left) believes his great friend, the late Shane Warne (right), would not have approved of Alex Carey’s stupidity against Jonny Bairstow
The pair were close friends before Warne’s death last year, and the outspoken English media personality believes the spider king might have labeled one of the most explosive incidents in Ashes history “fairly ordinary.”
The third Ashes Test kicks off in Headingley on Thursday, with the tourists tipped to be ruthlessly sled by the ablaze Barmy Army.
Carey will be public enemy number 1 in Leeds, and Warner and Smith will certainly be targeted as well.
Australia will look to take an unassailable lead in the series and secure their first Ashes win on English soil since 2001.