Legendary Umpire Simon Taufel Supports Decision on Jonny Bairstow’s Dismissal
The controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal during the second Ashes Test seems to be never-ending. Not only did the incident attract the attention of former cricketers and fans alike, but it also caught the eye of the prime ministers of both England and Australia. Amidst all the opinions and debates, renowned umpire Simon Taufel has now shared his million-dollar take on the matter.
Taufel, widely regarded as one of the best umpires in cricket history, backed the decision made by the third umpire to dismiss Bairstow. He explained that the ball is not considered dead until it is regarded as out of play by both teams.
The correct decision was made. England just didn’t like it. For the ball to be considered dead after the over or even after the delivery, both sides need to disregard it as in play. Clearly, the fielding side hadn’t, Taufel expressed during an interview with ABC Sydney Mornings.
The incident occurred on the fifth day of the Test match when Bairstow wandered out of the crease after ducking a bouncer from Cameron Green, assuming that the ball was dead. However, to Bairstow’s surprise, Alex Carey took full advantage of the opportunity and hit the stumps directly.
England captain Ben Stokes, while commenting on Bairstow’s dismissal, stated that he did not want to win a game in such a manner. However, he acknowledged that the incident was within the rules of the game.
If the shoe was on the other foot, I would have put more pressure on the umpires and questioned whether they had called over. I would have deeply pondered the spirit of the game. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no, Stokes said.
Besides the controversy, Stokes himself played an extraordinary innings, scoring 155 runs before being dismissed. However, England fell short by 70 runs in their pursuit of a challenging target of 371.
Ultimately, England was dismissed for 327 as Australia, aiming for their first away Ashes series win in 22 years, took a 2-0 lead in the five-match campaign.
The ongoing debate surrounding Bairstow’s dismissal on the final day of the Test highlights the passion and intensity with which cricket fans and experts follow the game. While opinions may differ, it is undeniable that decisions made by the umpires are crucial in determining the outcome of matches. As the Ashes contest continues, it remains to be seen what other exciting moments and controversies lie in wait.
