Brendon McCullum issues fiery statement on Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal in Ashes 2023
Australia gained a valuable 2-0 lead in the Ashes as they trumped England by 43 runs. A lot of drama ensued at Lords when Alex Carey controversially stumped Jonny Bairstow and he had to head back after making 10 off 22 balls with two fours. Though the dismissal was deemed legal in terms of the rules, the spirit of the game debate made tempers flare from both sides after the incident happened.
England Test coach Brendon McCullum had a cryptic statement on the matter and he said on the BBC’s Test Match Special: ‘I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer any time soon.’ Jonny Bairstow was seen making a walk down the track without signalling to the keeper and Alex Carey instinctively threw the ball at the stumps and then appealed. The matter was then referred to the third umpire who checked replays and deemed Bairstow out.
The decision was incredibly disappointing – Brendon McCullum on Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal
When Pat Cummins did not withdraw the appeal, the Lords crowd which is normally silent pokes jibes at the Australian players and were really unhappy with the decision. The Spirit of the game was the big talking point. ‘I think it was more about the spirit of the game and when you become older and more mature you realise the game and the spirit of it is something you need to protect. The England Test coach said.
‘You have to make decisions at the moment, and they can have effects on games and people’s characters. ‘By the letter of the law he is out. Jonny was not trying to take a run and the umpires had called ‘over’. McCullum added. ‘It is one of those difficult ones to swallow and you look at the small margins, it is incredibly disappointing. ‘Lots of people will have their opinion on both sides of the fence. But the most disappointing thing is that it will be the most talked about event of a great Test match.’ he added.
Ben Stokes also said he would have withdrawn the appeal and called the player back if such an incident happened. Stokes had a great time with the bat at Lords as he played a magnificent inning of 155 off 214 balls with nine fours and nine sixes. The two sides will lock horns at Leeds Headingley for the Third Test.
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