(Cricket news) Australia defeated England at Lord’s to claim a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series. The match had some incredible moments and performances from the likes of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. However, the aftermath was all about one moment of controversy. The match was very tight during the fourth innings run chase when Jonny Bairstow ducked under Cameron Green’s bouncer. The ball went to Alex Carey who threw it towards the stump and Jonny Bairstow was given out as he had wandered out of the crease. Bairstow and Stokes looked shocked while the Lord’s crowd booed the Australian team for the rest of the day.

Despite some outrageous batting by Ben Stokes, England ended up losing the game. Stuart Broad who came in to bat after Bairstow was heard saying to the umpires “How is that out, that’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen”. He also said to Alex Carey that the dismissal is all he will be remembered for.

Broad even comically made sure that he could step out of the crease which got the crowd even more riled up. When the Australian team returned to the dressing room for Lunch the members in the Lord’s long room abused them and even initiated physical contact. England fans even waited till the presentation just to boo Australian captain Pat Cummins who stood by the decision.

Pat Cummins after the match said “I think Carey saw it happen a few balls previously, three or four balls previously, and there’s no pause, catch it, straightaway and throw at the stumps. I thought it was totally fair play. That’s how the rule is. Some people might disagree. That’s how I saw it, You see Jonny do it all the time. He did it on day one to Davey Warner.

He did it in 2019 to Steve [Smith]. It’s a really common thing for keepers to do if they see about a batter keep leaving their crease. So Kez [Carey], full credit to him. He saw the opportunity. I think Jonny did it a few balls beforehand. Rolled it at the stumps. Jonny left his crease. You leave the rest to the umpires,” 

The fact that Carey threw the ball straight away is what swings things in his favour. However, Ben Stokes was clearly not happy as he said “My thoughts around it is, when is it justified that umpires have called ‘over’? Does the square leg umpire making some movement justify that? Jonny Bairstow was in his crease and then came out to have a chat in the middle. I’m not disputing if it was out, it was. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would’ve had to think about the whole spirit of the game. But it has happened, it was out. We have to move on… Do I want to win in that manner? No.”

The decision to not withdraw the appeal was always going to be controversial but Bairstow on his part was very irresponsible. The decision has definitely put a lot more fire in the series because after it happened the crowd were into the act straight away booing the Australians. This is a good motivation factor for England because they have to win the next match to have any chance of winning the series. The next match is Headingley where England have a lot of good memories from the last Ashes.  

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