Australia woke up on Monday morning to an Ashes storm blowing from the other side of the world after Alex Carey’s controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow led to acrimony, recriminations, finger-pointing and a degree of bafflement.
Battle lines were drawn almost immediately after the England batter’s dismissal on day five of the second Test at Lord’s, as the not unfamiliar debate centring on the rules of the game v the spirit of the game was reopened.
England captain Ben Stokes was, perhaps understandably, in the latter camp and questioned in his post-match interview whether Australia’s appeal was in the spirit of the game. But Australians were quick to point out that on day three, Bairstow had attempted to stump Marnus Labuschagne in a similar fashion.
Thought we had seen this before. Jonny Bairstow attempting to catch Marnus Labuschagne stepping out of his crease two days ago. #Ashes @wwos @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/U28fEvlEu8
— Sam Djodan (@samdjodan) July 2, 2023
“Can’t have it both ways chaps!” ran a Fox Sports headline. “Damning footage exposes Poms’ great Ashes hypocrisy.”
I’m genuinely mystified by today. The first lesson of batting is stay in your ground. Keepers attempt those runouts routinely. Then suddenly people are raging like it’s some shock new thing. https://t.co/X3LHIEvj23
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) July 2, 2023
Laws of the game good enough yesterday, good enough today.
— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) July 2, 2023
Sorry chaps.
Stuart Broad, who joined Ben Stokes at the crease once Bairstow departed, was clearly riled by the decision and went on to play out his usual role of pantomime villain – ensuring he had made his ground with exaggerated movements after each ball he survived. Some Australians were not impressed by the performance.
We now cross live to Stuart Broad taking the high road.. pic.twitter.com/8D4D63P0ka
— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) July 2, 2023
England’s outcry over the incident prompted questions over “whether people who live in glass houses should throw stones”, the non-bylined Fox Sports piece read, highlighting another incident from last year when England ran out New Zealand’s Colin De Grandhomme when he was out of his crease.
Dozy cricket from Colin De Grandhomme last year. The appeal was not withdrawn by England (video is courtesy of ECB) #Cricket pic.twitter.com/J2t6ELyFFp
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) July 2, 2023
An aggrieved Brendan McCullum suggested he may skip post-series beers with Australia over the incident, but it was pointed out the England coach himself has form in this particular realm of controversy.
Brendon McCullum saying he won’t be having a drink with the Australians any time soon. My dude you deliberately ran out a player celebrating his teammate’s hundred. Glass houses, things of that nature #Ashes
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) July 2, 2023
In the Sydney Morning Herald, columnist Peter FitzSimons wrote: “There are complaints that can be made against Carey’s action, but the hardened professionals of the England cricket team aren’t the ones to make them.”
Amid the rancour, there was room for some much-needed humour.
English cricket team confused by wicketkeeper actually capable of getting opponent out
— The Chaser (@chaser) July 2, 2023
England lead the Moral Ashes 2-0.
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) July 2, 2023
But ugly scenes witnessed in the usually genteel Long Room at Lord’s as the Australian team who were booed off the pitch were not welcome. The touring side alleged several players were “verbally abused” or “physically contacted” as they returned to the dressing room at lunch, prompting the MCC to issue an unreserved apology.
The atmosphere in the pavilion had “turned feral on Australia”, a headline in the Nine newspapers read.
This is disgraceful. https://t.co/Txp0xoiN8h
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) July 2, 2023
Fair to say a few of the members at Lords aren’t happy with the… laws of the game? 😂#TheAshes 2nd Test | Live, on Channel 9 & 9Now.#9WWOS #Cricket #Ashes #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/jdkIBHrlLJ
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 2, 2023
Not all Australians were on the same page though, with the former Test spinner Brad Hogg going against the grain in his homeland.
Bairstow wicket, Not Out. Spirit of cricket pushed to the boundary. Not attempting a run, end of over, scratched crease then walked for the regulation BS chat between overs between batsman. #ashes #ENGvsAUS
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 2, 2023
Even Australian authorities weighed in on Monday, with Victoria Police using Bairstow as an opportunity to reiterate traffic rules.
We'd like to thank Jonny Bairstow for reminding everyone about the dangers of stepping over the crease before you're given the green light.
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) July 3, 2023
Check out our road safety tips ➡ https://t.co/1fSI5XpMMe then tag a grumpy Englishman (we'll go first @metpoliceuk) pic.twitter.com/tvyh511pLN
