England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow’s run out controversy refuses to die anytime soon with both the English and the Australian media not missing an opportunity to take a jibe at the opponent side with their cricket teams fighting it out in the Ashes 2023 in England. Australia beat England by 43 runs in the second Test at the Lord’s. What was a sweet win for Aussies, turned out to a sour result for England as despite captain Ben Stokes scoring a staggering century (155), the hosts failed to get over the line.
The wicket of Bairstow had a significant impact on the impact outcome of the match. The England wicketkeeper was the last recognised batter with Ben Stokes at the other end and could have made a difference, especially when in hindsight, the Three Lions went on to lose the match by a narrow margin. The batter had casually left his crease after ducking under a bouncer from Cameron Green but the ball was still in play and wicketkeeper Alex Carey "stumped" him out. England captain Ben Stokes, pacer Stuart Broad and head coach Brendon McCullum among others have all expressed their discontent and lectured Australia on their win at all costs attitude. However, the Australian daily mocked the English side and labelled their players as ‘crybabies’ with a picture of Ben Stokes beside a brand-new red cherry.
Stokes, however, was quick to respond to the Australian media and put out an epic response. "That’s definitely not me, since when did I bowl with a new ball," he wrote.
Check out his tweet here:
As the ‘spirit of the game’ debate has heated again post the incident, the internet is filled with diverse views. Australian Pat Cummins has called it ‘a fair play’ with his team been subject to a lot of backlash. Stokes, meanwhile, believes that the team can bounce back despite being 2-0 down.
“Having experienced something similar, you are able to look back at it. Did take a lot out of Headingley but unfortunately not to be. Definitely felt we had a shout, but Australia changed their plans and that changed things for me. I had to take my risks to the longer side of the ground. Tough one to swallow, but it was a fantastic game. We are 2-0 down but we got 3 games to go,” the all-rounder said at the post-match presentation.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed his views on the Ashes. He took to Twitter and his post read: "I'm proud of our men's and women's cricket teams, who have both won their opening two #Ashes matches against England. Same old Aussies always winning! Australia is right behind." His tweet seemed to come in response to UK PM Rishi Sunak who agreed with Stokes' stance that the dismissal of Baistow was against the spirit of the game.
The third Test-match of what has been a riveting Ashes so far will begin at the Headingley, Leeds on July 6.