Bairstow’s bungle the latest chapter in Ashes war of words

Cricket’s most prominent voices in and outside of the boundary rope remain at odds over the ‘fairness’ of Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping.

Alex Carey celebrates the stumping of England's Jonny Bairstow with Pat Cummins.

Australian and British cricket fans wasted no time in taking up the cause for their national heroes and engaging in a war of words after the engrossing and controversial second Test at Lord’s.

As quick-thinking wicketkeeper Alex Carey pounced on his opposite number’s meander out of his crease soon after lunch on day five, it was clear the moment would cast its shadow over the result.

The Australian’s cricketing writer Gideon Haigh wrote of the victory that it was a masterstroke by Pat Cummins’ side to decipher and undermine England’s self-celebrated style of play, rather than an indictment on its honour or failures of the rule book.

“Bairstow wandered off as though unable to credit that the world, so abundant in glad Bazball vibes, could contain such traps and snares,” Haigh wrote of Jonny Bairstow’'s dismissal in his latest column. “But if his dismissal cost England this second Test, then what’s to blame was his naivete rather than Alex Carey’s alertness.”

Haigh added Bairstow’s grievances were not shared by the opposition, the umpires or the rules of the game. “And, errr, that’s it.”

Readers suggested England’s incessant Bodyline-like tactics of bowling at the head and body of the Aussies through their second innings was “hardly in the spirit of the game” either.

“There is nothing in the laws that says you should let an opponent off for an error, oversight, brain fade, misunderstanding or incorrect assumption. In fact, the England team’s comments after the match are probably more contrary to the spirit of the game,” The Australian’s subscriber ­Melanie replied to Haigh’s article.

Leading British journalist Simon Wilde chose to echo the words of former coach Justin Langer in his review in The Times. The feisty West Australian was the man who was tasked with cleaning up Australia’s shattered image after Sandpapergate. Wilde noted his ambition to “play fair”, and questioned whether he would have approved of Carey’s actions.

“The Australians have not only galvanised the crowds but also the England dressing room, with Ben Stokes saying that if he had been the on-field captain at the time of the Bairstow incident he would have ‘had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game’,” he said.

“Cummins and co have made their bed. Now they must lie in it.’

Carey’s toss which sparked a venomous end to the Second Test at Lord’s.

Australian commenters noted England had found “no romance” in its own interpretation of the “spirit of the game” under coach Brendan McCullum, who attempted a similar manoeuvre during his career – against the side he is now coaching.

“Interesting that Wilde does not mention Bairstow’s shy at the stumps on day three when Labuschagne was batting,” Australian reader Peter responded.

Footage has since gone viral on social media of the English keeper attempting to run out Australia’s highest-ranked batsman in the same circumstances. “The astounding hypocrisy is unbelievable. Was it some trick of television or did Bairstow not try exactly the same thing when ­Labuschagne was batting in the first innings?” Scott from Adelaide added.

Many, however, queued up to lambast Cummins’ side, saying the captain’s conduct wouldn’t have flown with his predecessors.

“Richie (Benaud) would have withdrawn the appeal. Even Ian Chappell probably would have – Chappell defended the spirit of the game and severely criticised his own brother for the bowling of a then-lawful underarm delivery against New Zealand to win a match,” said Jacqui from NSW.

“Embarrassed to be Australian today. The Australian Cricket team have shamed their country,” reader Jack added flatly.