Australia batter Travis Head was in the thick of the action when England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow was controversially dismissed on day five of the second Test at Lord’s.
Head reveals what happened in the lead-up to the incident, what was said between Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, Pat Cummins and the Aussies and, crucially, how Bairstow admitted he would have done the same thing in a similar situation in first Test at Edgbaston.
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Bairstow was out stumped by Alex Carey having wandered out of his crease before the ball was dead, causing outrage by the England camp, the heaving Lord’s crowd and the dignified MCC members in the Pavilion’s Long Room.
Three MCC members have been suspended for their behaviour, while Broad has penned a column saying he was disappointed the Australians/Cummins did not withdraw the appeal given Bairstow was not looking for an advantage.
However, Cummins, coach Andrew McDonald and Head – plus several former Test captains including Andrew Strauss, Ricky Ponting, Michael Atherton and Mark Taylor – have backed the Australians actions.
It’s sure to create an intense atmosphere at Headingley this week for the third Test starting Thursday night (AEST), but Head says he and his teammates are ready for the challenge.
While Australia are just one win away from winning the Ashes in England in 22 years, England will need to repeat the heroics of Don Bradman’s 1936-37 side as the only team to come down from 0-2 down to win the series.
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