England fast bowler Stuart Broad expressed his belief that Australia captain Pat Cummins will eventually regret his team’s appeal for Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal during the Ashes Test at Lord’s. Bairstow, mistakenly assuming the over had concluded, was stumped, resulting in England’s defeat in the second Test.
While Cummins defended the appeal as “fair play,” Broad voiced his frustration, stating, “It wasn’t the act itself that annoyed me, but rather the fact that they upheld the appeal.” He shared his view with the Daily Mail, expressing amazement if Cummins doesn’t reflect on his decision once the emotional intensity subsides, despite his primary objective of winning the Test match.
Broad, who replaced Bairstow at the crease and engaged in heated exchanges with the Australian players, acknowledged that his own emotions got the better of him during the game. He admitted that some of his comments, captured by the stump microphones, were regrettable, particularly considering his experience in international cricket.
Furthermore, Broad alluded to Australia’s attempt to revamp their team’s image following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, which resulted in bans for Steve Smith and David Warner in 2018. Expressing his displeasure at Australia’s decision, Broad repeatedly reminded Cummins of the negative crowd reaction, emphasizing the missed opportunity for clear thinking.
The controversy drew attention beyond the cricketing world, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accusing Australia of violating the spirit of cricket. However, Alexander Downer, the former Australian high commissioner to the UK, suggested that England appeared as “bad losers” due to their reaction.
The laws of cricket state that 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.” Cummins defended the dismissal, stating that Bairstow had left his crease on previous deliveries during the over, which the wicketkeeper, Alex Carey, observed.
Both England coach Brendon McCullum and Australia head coach Andrew McDonald supported the third umpire’s decision, asserting that it fell within the rules of the game. However, the incident led to relentless booing of Australia, particularly Cummins, by the Lord’s crowd.
Television footage also showed confrontations between Australian players Usman Khawaja and David Warner and spectators in the Long Room during the lunch break, resulting in the suspension of three members by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
Broad described the reaction of the Lord’s crowd as unprecedented, expressing their anger towards the Australians. While acknowledging that shouting at players was not justifiable, Broad noted that hostility towards visiting teams was not uncommon based on his experiences during four tours of Australia.
In conclusion, Stuart Broad anticipated that Pat Cummins would come to regret his decision regarding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal, highlighting the controversy and emotional intensity surrounding the incident during the Ashes Test at Lord’s.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ashes Test
What was the controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal during the Ashes Test at Lord’s?
Jonny Bairstow was stumped after mistakenly leaving his crease, thinking the over had ended. Australia appealed, and the decision was upheld, leading to England’s defeat and sparking controversy.
How did Stuart Broad react to the controversial dismissal?
Stuart Broad expressed his frustration and stated that he would be amazed if Australia captain Pat Cummins did not regret standing by the appeal. Broad believed that Cummins would eventually realize his mistake once the emotions settled.
Did the incident impact the relationship between the teams?
The incident resulted in fiery exchanges between Stuart Broad and the Australian players on the field. It also sparked clashes between Australian players and spectators in the Long Room during the lunch break. The controversy and crowd reactions added tension to the series.
What were the reactions from coaches and officials?
England coach Brendon McCullum supported Jonny Bairstow’s belief that the umpires had effectively called over, making the ball dead. Australia head coach Andrew McDonald defended the third umpire’s decision, stating it was within the laws of the game.
How did the crowd at Lord’s react to the controversy?
The Lord’s crowd expressed their anger by relentlessly booing Australia, particularly Pat Cummins, after the controversial dismissal. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) suspended three members for confrontations with Australian players in the Long Room.
Did the controversy affect the spirit of cricket?
Opinions differed on the impact of the incident on the spirit of cricket. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accused Australia of breaking the spirit, while a former Australian high commissioner to the UK suggested that England appeared as “bad losers” due to their reaction.
More about Ashes Test
- Ashes Test 2023: Stuart Broad believes Pat Cummins will regret Jonny Bairstow call (BBC Sport)
- Stuart Broad predicts regret for Pat Cummins’ Jonny Bairstow dismissal (The Guardian)
- Ashes: Stuart Broad expects Pat Cummins to regret Jonny Bairstow call (Sky Sports)
- Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad predicts regret for Pat Cummins’ decision on Jonny Bairstow (ESPNcricinfo)
1 comment
cummins stood by the appeal for bairstow’s dismissal and broad ain’t happy! he thinks cummins will regret it later on. the drama in the ashes continues! #exciting