Being the leader of the Tory Party, Rishi Sunak knows all about skullduggery...
After taking a look with his expert eye, he has accused the Aussies of breaking the spirit of cricket with the controversial dismissal of England player Jonny Bairstow in the Ashes Test at Lord’s.
It is a highly unusual step for a Prime Minister, and it risks sparking a diplomatic row.
Asked whether Mr Sunak believes Australia’s actions were not in keeping with the spirit of cricket, his spokesman said: “Yes.”
He added: “The Prime Minister agrees with [England captain] Ben Stokes. He said he wouldn’t want to win a game in the manner Australia did.”
In could become the biggest cricketing dispute between England and Australia since the infamous Bodyline series of 90 years ago.
The Aussies’ top diplomat in Britain has tried to quell anger ahead of the start of the next Ashes Test on Thursday at Headingley.
Contacted about the PM’s comments, Australian High Commission Stephen Smith said: “Every cricket follower will have formed a view about the events at Lord’s, and those views will invariably be strongly held and firmly put. The Ashes has always had such moments... The time will very quickly be upon us when we will focus on another Test in another great Ashes series.”
Bairstow’s dismissal was a turning point at Lord’s as the Aussies went 2-0 up in the series.
He ducked under the ball and, as it was the last ball of the over, set off to talk to batting partner Stokes. But wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw down the stumps with Bairstow out of his ground.
The laws say he was out but the Aussies have been labelled as unsporting and even “cheats”.
Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell said: “It was within the rules but not within the spirit.”
Former England player Sir Geoffrey Boycott has demanded “a full public apology” from the Aussies.
Mr Sunak, who was at the match the day before Sunday’s controversy, has also spoken about the ugly scenes in the pavilion after the flashpoint.
David Warner was among the Aussie players who were confronted. Three MCC members have been suspended. The PM’s spokesman said: “He thinks it was right the MCC [took] swift action to suspend any member accused of poor behaviour.”
The press Down Under has backed the Aussies. The West Australian paper slammed “whingeing Poms” and mocked-up Stokes as a baby.
