Pat Cummins gives deadpan response to suggestion Stokes would have withdrawn Bairstow appeal

Pat Cummins has delivered a blunt riposte to suggestions his leadership of the Australian side has fallen outside the spirit of cricket, with one word saying it all.

Pat Cummins gave an awkward reaction when told how Ben Stokes would have responded to the Ashes “cheat” storm on day five, The Sun reports.

England crashed to defeat on the final day of the Second Test, with Australia now on the brink of retaining the famous trophy yet again.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Ben Stokes put up a knock of 155 to boost his side’s hopes at Lord’s.

But the game was overshadowed by controversy after Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by wicket keeper Alex Carey.

Lord’s members scrapped with “cheating” Aussies after the unsporting incident.

And even Piers Morgan waded in, branding Carey and teammates “pathetic.”

Pat Cummins was blunt after the second Test at Lord's.

England captain Stokes has since said he would never have claimed the wicket.

“Jonny was in his crease, the out of his crease to come down and have the chat,” Stokes said.

“I’m not disputing the fact that it is out because it is out. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no.

“When is it justified that the umpires have called over? Is the on-field umpires making movement, is that enough to call over? I’m not sure.

“If the shoe was on the other foot I would have put more pressure on the umpires and asked whether they had called over.

“And I’d have had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game and would I want to do something like that.”

Stokes’ words were put to Aussie counterpart Cummins by Jonathan Agnew on BBC’s Test Match Special, who gave a less-than-convincing one-word response.

Stokes (front) had words for the Australians after the controversial dismissal. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The captain from Down Under looked awkward as he gave his blunt one-word reply.

“OK,” Cummins said.

Cummins then continued after the awkward response.

“(It was) fair play. That is the rules. That is how I saw it.

“(Bad blood?) Not from our team, you might have to ask them. It was a wonderful contest, it’s been a great Ashes series so far.”

Meanwhile, England boss Brendon McCullum admitted he wasn’t rushing to join the Australians at the pub afterwards.

“I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer with them any time soon,” McCullum said.

“We have three Tests to land some blows and try and win the Ashes. That’s where our focus will be.”

This article was originally published in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.