Ashes Cricket 2023: Joe Root has say on Jonny Bairstow stumping saga

Joe Root has chimed in to the Jonny Bairstow stumping debate, claiming the English team want to leave a certain legacy and he ‘would have dealt with it very differently’.

Joe Root has had his say on the stumping of Jonny Bairstow in the second Test. Picture: Getty Images

Joe Root is the latest England player to say he would not have appealed for the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow had he been in the same situation but says Australians who have labelled the hosts as sore losers are entitled to their opinions.

The former England captain echoed the sentiments of several teammates including current skipper Ben Stokes by saying that he would not have wanted to remove a batter in the manner that Alex Carey did when he tossed the ball at the stumps to stump a Bairstow as he crept from his crease on day five of the Lord’s Test.

“Personally, I try and put myself in that situation, that position and I’d like to think I would have dealt with it very differently. I think Ben spoke very well on it at the end of the game. As a team, we want to play our cricket a certain way and want to leave a certain legacy,” Root said.

Carey’s stumping of Bairstow has created plenty of debate. Picture: Getty Images

“If you look at the footage Jonny didn’t take any advantage or didn’t gain any advantage by doing what he’s doing. I think as a batter you’re fully aware when you’re batting out of your crease that you are for a number of different reasons gaining advantage whether it’s covering different angles, trying to take modes of dismissal out the game rather than scratching your mark back at the end of an over.”

The issue has dominated public commentary in both the UK and Australia, with respective Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Anthony Albanese both chiming in.

Several Australian newspapers splashed covers painting England as sooks. Root accepted that Bairstow had technically been out but did not like the idea of criticising others’ views.

“I said everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Root said.

“Everyone will see it very differently. As a player, you want to play the game as how you want to play it. It was within the rules, it was technically out. If you’re happy with that, then fine. If not, I don’t think you can (criticise) other people that play the game slightly differently.

Joe Root after the loss in the second Test. Picture: Getty Images

“There’s always something. Every series has something. Obviously it was going to create debate and draw attention but the fact that we’re still talking about it now ahead of the next games (surprises me).”

Root said he wasn’t sure whether the incident would change the relationship between the teams.

However he urged fans not to get carried away in supporting their team at Headingley when the series resumes this week, in the wake of ugly scenes in the Lord’s pavillion on Sunday.

“Support England. I think that’s the most important thing is that you come in to support your nation, doesn’t need to go beyond that. It shouldn’t ever go beyond that. Everyone should be here to enjoy the cricket on the field. And, you know, that’s what it should be about and shouldn’t be about anything other than that.”

ENGLAND SUFFER MAJOR BLOW WITH STAR TO MISS REST OF THE ASHES

England has ruled vice-captain Ollie Pope out of the rest of the Ashes series.

Pope twice hurt his shoulder in the field during the Lord’s Test.

England vice-captain Ollie Pope has been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series. Picture: Getty Images

Dan Lawrence, as the spare batter in England’s 15-man squad, is the most likely player to take Pope’s place in the hosts’ batting line-up.

“Scans in London on Monday revealed the full extent of the injury and he will miss the rest of the summer campaign and will require surgery,” the ECB said in a statement on Tuesday.

“He will work closely with the England and Surrey medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation.

“England will not call up a replacement for the third Ashes Test, which starts at Headingley on Thursday.”

Originally published as Ashes Cricket 2023: Joe Root has say on Jonny Bairstow stumping saga