Jonny Bairstow, the English cricketer, became a central figure in this year’s Ashes campaign, with his performances and controversies capturing the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Throughout the series, Bairstow’s actions both behind and in front of the stumps kept him in the headlines. However, it was a particular incident during the second Test at Lord’s that drew significant attention.
Jonny Bairstow’s bizarre dismissal during for second Ashes Test
The experienced campaigner entered the crease during a crucial moment in the fourth innings of the Lord’s Test. Joining forces with skipper Ben Stokes, England was chasing a formidable target of 371 on Day 5. The team found itself at a perilous 177/5 and was in desperate need of a partnership. Unfortunately for Bairstow, his dismissal was anything but ordinary.
In a bizarre turn of events, Bairstow thought the ball was dead after evading a short delivery from Cameron Green. He casually walked out of the crease, believing the ball posed no threat. However, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey saw an opportunity and under-armed the ball to hit the stumps, finding Bairstow short of the crease. This stumping created a wave of controversy, with some arguing that it went against the spirit of the game.
Pat Cummins opens up about the dismissal
Australian captain Pat Cummins weighed in on the discussion, noting that the particular method of dismissal wasn’t new to him. In a recent interview on Channel Seven’s Sunrise, Cummins mentioned, “I haven’t experienced anything like that before…. but I will say across my career, I’ve seen that type of dismissal at least 20 times, and it is always out.”
The aftermath of Bairstow’s dismissal added to the drama. As Australian players walked through the long room during the Lunch break, they faced boos from the spectators. Usman Khawaja and David Warner engaged in a heated argument with the crowd, halting their progress. Cummins shared that his teammates informed him about the incident, and they collectively composed themselves during the break.
“Davey [Warner] and Ussie [Khawaja] went back at a few of the members following some comments, it was getting pretty heated,” Cummins revealed. “I got the gossip from the other guys, then we all took a deep breath and looked to stay composed. We had a break, and then reset.”
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