Australia’s Prime Minister aimed a jibe at Rishi Sunak today amid rising tensions before Thursday's crunch Third Ashes Test.
Anthony Albanese warned Rishi Sunak to “stay in your crease” as the furore over the Aussies’ controversial Second Test dismissal of England batsman Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s threatened to escalate into a full-blown diplomatic incident.
Cricket-loving Mr Sunak accused Australia of breaking the spirit of cricket by claiming the wicket. But he was taunted by his counterpart Down Under, who sneered: “Mr Sunak must have had the same lessons I got at primary school... stay in your crease. Hope you're well, PM.”
In a further dig, Mr Albanese tweeted: "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!”
Mr Sunak’s spokesman tried to quell the spat with Canberra - a key defence and security ally and a partner in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing pact. Asked if the PM had a response to his counterpart, the spokesman quipped: “No, in short. I think I'll be straight batting answers on this one.”
Mr Sunak’s spokesman insisted there would “continue to be a friendly rivalry between our two countries”, as he wished the England side well for Thursday’s clash at Headingley.
“He wishes them the very best of luck. He’s confident, he’s confident they will return to winning ways and he will be supporting them wholeheartedly,” he added.
Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer suggested Australian cricketers fail to understand fair play.
Mr Mercer also taunted the tourists over their cheating during the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal in a Test against South Africa when they were found to be tampering with the ball.
"I think we should consider ourselves lucky these guys were caught sandpapering the ball,” Mr Mercer said. “I think fair play out of these guys is not something you're going to expect and let's get on with it and give them a good pasting in the next Test."
Australian former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer accused England of being “undignified” over the row unleashed by wicketkeeper Alex Carey stumping Bairstow.
“It was a brilliant moment for the Australian wicket keeper and an incredibly sloppy moment by an England batsman,” he claimed.
“It’s better not to complain about these things when the umpire has made the final decision if you lose the game, because it looks a bit undignified.”
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