England captain Ben Stokes has delivered a witty response to an Australian newspaper’s crybabies jibe following the controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal during the second Ashes Test. Stokes, known for his fiery presence on and off the field, dismissed the newspaper’s headline with a humorous statement, saying, That’s definitely not me, since when did I bowl with the new ball.
The incident in question revolved around Bairstow’s stumping on Day 5 of the match when the England wicketkeeper wandered off the crease, assuming the ball was dead. However, it was still live, and Bairstow was subsequently given out after Australia didn’t withdraw their appeal and the third umpire ruled in their favor. Despite Stokes’ remarkable innings of 155 runs, England fell short by 43 runs.
After the match, Stokes and England head coach Brendon McCullum lectured Australia on the spirit of cricket, leading to the Australian newspaper branding the English team as crybabies in a column. However, Stokes had a clever comeback, highlighting that his role in the team is not as a bowler, and therefore couldn’t be associated with the claim.
The debate surrounding the spirit of cricket escalated after Bairstow’s dismissal, with Stokes and McCullum admitting that Bairstow was technically out, but they expressed their reluctance in appealing for such a dismissal. Stokes questioned the justification of the umpires’ call of Over and whether the movement of the square leg umpire justified Bairstow leaving his crease to have a chat in the middle. Stokes emphasized that he wasn’t disputing whether the dismissal was out or not, but rather questioned the spirit of the game and the decision-making process.
Australia captain Pat Cummins defended his team’s actions, stating that Bairstow had been leaving his crease frequently, attempting to unsettle the Australian players. Cummins claimed the dismissal was fair play and not sneaky or untoward.
The controversy surrounding Bairstow’s dismissal and the subsequent debate on the spirit of cricket has ignited strong opinions from both sides. While Stokes and McCullum advocate for protecting the spirit of the game, Australia stands by their decision to appeal for the unusual dismissal.
As the Ashes series continues, it remains to be seen if this incident will have a lasting impact on the relationship between the two teams. For now, Stokes’ clever response to the Australian newspaper’s jibe adds another chapter to his colorful personality both on and off the field.
