A clearly unimpressed and miffed veteran England pacer Stuart Broad had made sure to mock Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne after the way English wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow was stumped by the Aussie wicket-keeper Alex Carey on the fifth day of the recently concluded second Ashes 2023 Test match.
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While Broad seemed to be quite serious with the particular gesture, it was nothing short of jocularity for fans amid a hostile atmosphere at Lord’s. It all happened after the final delivery of the 55th over being bowled by Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
The short delivery outside the off-stump was left alone by Broad through to Carey. However, as the left-handed batter was about to walk towards his captain at the other end, he immediately paused and dragged his bat way inside the batting crease. In fact, in a bid to take a jibe at the Aussies, he went on to drag his bat beyond the bowling crease as well.
Stuart Broad Mocks Marnus Labuschagne Post Jonny Bairstow Stumping At Lord’s
Labuschagne, standing at forward short-leg, was at the receiving end of Broad’s jibe as he tried to mock him for the way Bairstow was dismissed a few overs earlier.
Amidst the boos from the Lord’s crowd which was repeatedly chanting a one-liner accusing Australia of cheating, Broad confirmed from the Australian No. 3 batter whether or not the ball was indeed “dead” this time around with the final ball of the over being bowled.
Labuschagne, too, saw the funny side of the gesture and threatened to run him out if he lingered outside, before giving the ball back to Carey who scampered through to the other end for the beginning of the next over.
Broad 🤣 pic.twitter.com/UMpkW5rxMX
— mon (@4sacinom) July 2, 2023
Stuart Broad’s Stump Mic Comments On Alex Carey
Broad made sure to have a go at Carey as well, whose street-smart move was the sole reason for the former going all salty with his naive idiosyncrasies on the pitch.
While he had a lot to say to the 31-year old player, he was caught on the stump mic remarking, “You’ll always be remembered for that.” Needless to say, Broad was obviously referring to the stumping dismissal the former had effected.
Stuart Broad looking at the umpire at the end of every over and confirming sarcastically if he can leave the crease is next level
I’m all in for that 😎
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) July 2, 2023
To be fair, Broad’s reaction to a perfectly legitimate dismissal was immature and uncalled for. One cannot apply the so-called “Spirit of Cricket” fallacy as per one’s comfort and should, in fact, have the graciousness to accept that the opposition played better than his team for a large majority of the match.