Ben Stokes reacts to controversial Bairstow dismissal. Australia already leads the Ashes series 2-0 after defeating England by 43 runs at Lord’s on Sunday.
England skipper Ben Stokes struck 155 runs in 214 balls on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, virtually single-handedly bringing his team close to Australia’s massive 371-run goal. In the end, the World Test Champions won by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes.
Stokes’ superb innings, though, was not the only major talking point from Day 5
Jonny Bairstow was stumped under unusual circumstances after joining his skipper at the fall of Ben Duckett’s wicket. With England needing 194 runs to win, the sixth wicket partnership between Stokes and Bairstow proved critical for the hosts. However, they could only score 16 runs in tandem when the wicketkeeper-batter stump by Alex Carey off Cameron Green’s bowling.
The Australian all-rounder bowled a bouncer in the final ball of the 52nd over, which Bairstow easily ducked. As he left his crease for the change of ends, the England hitter didn’t look back. The ball, though, remained in play, and Carey calmly hit the stumps with an underarm throw. Bairstow was out stump, sparking heat controversy among cricket fans who felt that Pat Cummins and company should have withdrawn the appeal and summoned the right-handed batter back, in keeping with the spirit of the game. Others, on the other hand, believed that the away team did nothing wrong.
After the game, Stokes addressed the contentious moment. Conceding that it was out but also saying that if he had been in Australia’s shoes. He would have considered the spirit of the game.
“It was out by the end of the day.” But if the shoe had been on the other foot, I would have considered the spirit of the game. “We just have to move on,” the southpaw stated following the contest.
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It’s written in the law, and it’s completely legal: Pat Cummins
Australian skipper Pat Cummins also commented on the issue. The right-arm pacer stated that wicketkeeper Alex Carey had witnessed a similar occurrence before and that the dismissal is part of the game’s rules.
“Carey saw it happen before, it’s in the laws, and it’s completely fair play.” “That’s how I saw it,” Cummins said at the game’s conclusion.
The ball, according to Law 20.1.2, was not dead. According to the law:
“The ball shall be considered dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as being in play.”
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