The debate on Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal rages on (In the best cricket tradition, Bairstow v Carey turned on a man saying ‘over’, 2 July). The viewpoint on this is simple, provided one asks the right questions. First, should Australia have withdrawn the appeal? Yes – Bairstow (like the square leg umpire), clearly thought that it was the end of the over, treated the ball as dead and was not attempting to take a run or gain any advantage; he placed his foot back in the crease and was going to have a chat with Stokes.
Second, does England have a right to complain that Australia didn’t withdraw the appeal? No – Bairstow was out according to the rules and according to the umpire; it was a basic error for which Bairstow cannot expect leniency or generosity. Alex Carey threw the ball before Bairstow left the crease, and everyone concerned (such as Stuart Broad, who didn’t walk in 2013 when he clearly edged the ball and Brendon McCullum, who ran out Muttiah Muralitharan in 2006 in very similar circumstances) has form for doggedly relying on the rules of cricket over the spirit.
