Jonny Bairstow debate rages amid England fury over "pathetic" Australia wicket

02 July 2023 , 13:26

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Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Jonny Bairstow (Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal on Day 5 of the second Ashes test turned Lord's into a bearpit as England raged at a perceived lack of sportsmanship by Australia.

With the test finely poised and Australia seeking to take a 2-0 lead in the series, Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey knocked down Bairstow's stumps after the England batsman left his crease at the end of an over, believing the ball to be dead. Bairstow looked perplexed while Australia celebrated, and despite boos from the Lord's crowd, the visitors elected not to withdraw their appeal - a decision which enraged Bairstow, with the wicket standing.

The Lord's crowd left Australia in no doubt about the wicket, with chants of "Same old Aussies, always cheating" ringing out around the famous ground while Bairstow walked off shaking his head. The controversial wicket drew plenty of ire on social media with the likes of Piers Morgan branding the Aussies "pathetic", though Bairstow's apparent lack of care also drew criticism as England lost a key man at such a delicate point of the match.

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