England wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow is the latest addition to the list of what will go down as the most talked-about player dismissal of the ongoing Ashes 2023 series. A moment of carelessness has made sure that he is now at the receiving end of the fans’ anger, which will further get intensified if England go on to lose the second Test match at Lord’s.
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Being bowled by Australia all-rounder Cameron Green, it all happened on the final delivery of the 52nd over of England’s second innings. Continuing with his short ball ploy, Green finished the over (almost) with another bouncer outside Bairstow’s off-stump which was innocuously ducked by the latter.
However, an ever-vigilant Alex Carey quickly released and nonchalantly aimed the ball towards the stumps and hit it bang on target. Bairstow, as if in a bid to have a glance at a flower pot he’s just watered in his garden, was wandering outside the crease the moment the bails got dislodged at his end.
Negative marking for Bairstow, and full marks to Carey for his presence of mind, third umpire Marais Erasmus rightfully ruled the former as stumped at his individual score of 10. In fact, replays from the previous deliveries in the over indicated that the right-handed batter was continuously leaving his crease after each ball, which perhaps motivated Carey to attempt a stumping
Fan Slams Jonny Bairstow For School Boy Error Leading To Run Out
Naturally, while a certain section of English fans both at the stadium and across social media platforms accused the Australian team of cheating with “Same Old Aussies” chant, the other section began criticizing their experienced player for demonstrating an absolute school boy error of leaving the crease before the ball is deemed dead.
A certain fan even questioned whether or not Bairstow has played cricket before, after swearing at the Aussies for appealing and making a move against the “Spirit of the game”.
“Spirit Of Cricket Pushed To The Boundary” – Brad Hogg
Furthermore, absolutely livid English fans found the support of the former Australia spinner Brad Hogg on Twitter. Claiming the Bairstow dismissal as not out, Hogg was clearly unimpressed with the Australian team not demonstrating fair play.
The 52-year-old went on to remark that the batter was no way going for a run and had scratched the crease after playing the final ball of the over for a regulation chat with captain Ben Stokes at the other end.
As far as the match proceeding is concerned, England need another 128 runs off the remaining two sessions on Day 5 to win the second Test as Stokes has already activated the ‘Bazball‘ mode on out of nowhere to smash a 13th Test century.
