Former Australia gloveman Brad Haddin has weighed in on the moment that has split the cricket world – Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal on day five of the second Test at Lord’s.
Bairstow was out stumped to Aussie allrounder Cameron Green after a sharp piece of glovework by Alex Carey, who hit the Englishman’s stumps as he left his crease while the ball was still alive.
HEAR BRAD HADDIN BREAK DOWN THE BAIRSTOW DISMISSAL AND WHY IT IS COMPLETELY WITHIN THE RULES ON THE WILLOW TALK PODCAST:
The dismissal was reviewed and approved by third umpire Marais Erasmus, despite queries from non-striker and England captain Ben Stokes if the umpires had called “over” and the ball was dead.
The on-field umpires agreed the ball was still alive and Bairstow was on his way for 10, which sparked a chorus of boos and calls of ‘cheats’ from the Lord’s crowd.
It also triggered Ben Stokes, who went berserk clubbing sixes into the stands on his way to another Test match century.
The hostility towards the visitors did not die down by lunch, as the MCC members in the Pavilion’s Long Room heckled the Australians, with Usman Khawaja confronting several members about their behaviour.
Khawaja later called the actions “disappointing” and “disrespectful”.
While debate rages on, by the letter of the law Bairstow was correctly given out, and Australia skipper Pat Cummins agreed.
“I thought it was fair,” Cummins said. “Johnny did it to Davey (Warner) on day one, did it in 2019 to Steve (Smith).”
Stokes agreed it was out, but said he would likely withdraw the appeal had the shoe been on the other foot.
“It is out,” Stokes said.
“I would have had to have a real think about the spirit of the game and would I want to potentially win a game with something like that happening, and it would be no.”
We won’t have to wait long to see how the teams settle this on the field, with the third Test starting Thursday at Headingley.
Willow Talk will be covering EVERY day’s play during the 2023 Ashes! Join Brad Haddin and Adam Peacock as they lead the way. Download the free LiSTNR app and tune in every day.