England captain Ben Stokes has expressed his dissatisfaction with the contentious dismissal of Jonny Bairstow during the second Ashes Test, stating that he would have withdrawn the appeal had he been in control.
The controversial stumping incident threatened to overshadow Australia’s 43-run victory over the host team at Lord’s. Bairstow, mistakenly believing the ball to be dead, had stepped out of his crease as wicketkeeper Alex Carey dislodged the bails, resulting in his dismissal.
Stokes acknowledged that Bairstow was indeed out, but he asserted that he wouldn’t want to secure a victory under such circumstances. Speaking to Test Match Special, Stokes, who played a remarkable innings of 155 runs, nearly leading England to an improbable triumph, stated, “Jonny was in his crease, then out of his crease to come down and have the chat. I am not disputing the fact it is out because it is out. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no.”
The dismissal occurred when England required 178 runs with only four wickets remaining, leading to a hostile atmosphere at Lord’s. The Australian team, especially captain Pat Cummins, faced relentless booing from the crowd. Additionally, after the players left for lunch, Usman Khawaja and David Warner were confronted by members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in the Long Room. The MCC later issued an apology for the incident.
While Cummins believed the Bairstow incident was fair play, Stokes questioned whether the ball was truly dead as Bairstow believed the umpires had effectively called over. The England coach, Brendon McCullum, supported Bairstow’s viewpoint, emphasizing that the umpires should have declared the ball dead. According to cricket’s laws, the ball is 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 in play.”
The intense exchanges between players following Bairstow’s dismissal included Stuart Broad expressing his frustration to Carey, stating, “That’s all you will be remembered for.” Broad, who had a crucial partnership of 108 runs with Stokes, remarked that it was the worst thing he had witnessed on a cricket field.
Despite the setback, Stokes remains confident in England’s ability to win the Ashes. Reflecting on his extraordinary innings, he acknowledged that it fell short of the iconic performance at Headingley in 2019 but asserted that England’s focus is now on the third Test at Headingley, with the goal of winning all three remaining matches. Stokes noted that England had previously achieved a 3-0 victory over Pakistan and New Zealand in 2022, highlighting the team’s resilience.
The third Test of the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on Thursday, and while McCullum hinted at strained relations between the teams, Cummins emphasized that there was no animosity and regarded it as a fantastic contest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ashes dismissal controversy
What was the controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal in The Ashes 2023?
During the second Ashes Test, Jonny Bairstow was stumped by Alex Carey while he mistakenly believed the ball was dead. This created a contentious situation and sparked debate over whether the dismissal was fair or not.
What was Ben Stokes’ opinion on the dismissal?
Ben Stokes, the England captain, expressed his dissatisfaction with the dismissal. He stated that he would have withdrawn the appeal if given the opportunity, as he did not want to win a game in such a controversial manner.
How did the dismissal impact the atmosphere at Lord’s?
The dismissal intensified the atmosphere at Lord’s, with the Australian team, especially captain Pat Cummins, facing continuous booing from the crowd. Heated exchanges between players occurred, and members of the Marylebone Cricket Club confronted Usman Khawaja and David Warner in the Long Room.
What did the umpires’ decision and cricket laws say about the dismissal?
The umpires upheld the appeal and declared Bairstow out. According to cricket’s laws, the ball is considered dead when both the fielding side and the batsmen cease to regard it as in play. Bairstow believed the umpires had effectively called over, making the ball dead, while the Australian team argued that the dismissal was fair play.
Can England still win The Ashes after being 2-0 down?
To win The Ashes, England must win all three remaining matches. Historically, England has never come back from a 2-0 deficit to win The Ashes. However, Ben Stokes remains optimistic, pointing out that England achieved a 3-0 victory over Pakistan and New Zealand in 2022.
More about Ashes dismissal controversy
- BBC Sport: Ben Stokes criticises Jonny Bairstow dismissal in The Ashes
- The Guardian: Controversial dismissal mars Australia’s victory in The Ashes
- ESPN Cricinfo: Analysis of Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal and its impact on the game
- Marylebone Cricket Club official website
- ICC Cricket Laws
