New Delhi: On the final day of the second Test match of the ongoing Ashes series, Australia’s wicket-keeper Alex Carey stumped out English batter Jonny Bairstow. This caused the controversy among the fans and cricket pundits all around the world.
England’s camp, including captain Ben Stokes and coach Brandon McCullum raised the question over Australia’s playing tactics, invoking the spirit of the games. However, Aussies skipper Pat Cummins supported Alex Carey, stating that he adhered to the rules of the game.
Excellent work by Alex Carey to run out Jonny Bairstow.
Terrific presence of mind there! pic.twitter.com/0hrfGstX65
---Advertisement---— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 2, 2023
Cricketers share thought on controversial run out
Several current and former cricketer shared their thought on this bizarre run out. Former England captain Michael Atherton believes that the spirit of cricket debate has no connection to Bairstow’s dismissal and criticized the batter for his lackadaisical play.
“Cummins said the dismissal was a fair one and at no stage thought of revoking the appeal and calling back Bairstow. There was certainly no requirement for him to do so. The Spirit of Cricket does not come into it. It was a dozy bit of cricket from Bairstow to allow Carey the opportunity and reflected much of the flabby cricket played by England in this match,” Atherton wrote in his column for the Times.
Eoin Morgan on spirit of games
England World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan, dismissed the spirt of the games remark and said it was 100% out.
Morgan was on commentary with Mark Taylor and he called it exactly right. “I’ve been here since I was a 13-year-old and I’m looking at playing my whole career here, and I’ve never seen scenes like that, particularly in the long room never mind all the way around the ground,” he said.
Eoin Morgan's reaction to the Jonny Bairstow stumping 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/9rgdiP0iKX
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 3, 2023
Ravichandran Ashwin’s reaction to Jonny Bairstow
World’s number ranked Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin also shared some lights on the ‘spirit of the games’ remark by England’s unit. Ashwin, who is known of his Mankading England’s batter Jos Butler has finally responded to the run-out controversy.
In a Tweet, Ashwin backed Alex Carey for his presence of mind to dismiss Bairstow. “We must applaud the game smarts of the individual rather than skewing it towards unfair play or spirit of the game. #Ashes2023,” he added.
Earlier, former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir criticized Australian side for their double standard. “Hey sledgers….does spirit of the game logic apply to u or is it just for Indians?” he wrote.
Australia won the second Test match by 43 runs. Now, Australia have 2-0 lead over the host. Third Test match will commence from July 6-10 at Yorkshire Cricket Ground.
