Ben Stokes claims England would have withdrawn the appeal had Australian player been stumped in the same manner as Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes Test.
In a crucial moment in England’s day-five chase at Lord’s, Bairstow was out when he ducked a Cameron Green bouncer on the last ball of the over and walked out of his crease.
The wicket left England 5-193 in pursuit of 371 for victory, before a counter-attacking 155 from Stokes allowed England to get within 43 of the target when they were bowled out.
Australia were jeered continually by the crowd after that point, and have claimed they copped verbal abuse and physical contact from fans as they walked through the Lord’s Long Room at lunch.
Stokes directly approached Australia captain Pat Cummins while third-umpire Marais Erasmus was deliberating on the decision, and says he would have withdrawn the appeal if in Cummins’ shoes.
“If the shoe was on the other foot … I would have to have a deep think around the whole spirit of the game,” Stokes told BBC after the game.
“For Australia it was a match-winning moment, and would I want to win a game in that manner? I think the answer for me is no.”
Cummins said he believed there was nothing wrong with the dismissal.
“It’s a rare dismissal. There was nothing untoward or sneaky,” Cummins said.
“Jonny was leaving his crease every ball. He did it four or five balls. You’re meant to stay in your crease in cricket. Bairstow has tried it with a lot of our guys.”
Ben Stokes speaks to the umpires after Jonny Bairstow was run out. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
‘Please explain’
Australia requested a please explain from the Marylebone Cricket Club after claiming players were verbally abused and physically contacted by members at lunch on day five at Lord’s.
On a drama-charged last day at Lord’s, Australia’s players were continuously jeered by local fans after Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow when he walked out of his crease.
England players were also clearly furious about the dismissal, with captain Ben Stokes approaching Australia’s team huddle to speak with his counterpart Pat Cummins.
The situation then went into overdrive when Khawaja then took exception to something said by one member and stopped to speak with them, before two stewards stepped in.
David Warner followed him through the long room, and was ushered away by stewards after stopping in front of another fan.
Video from inside the room full of Lord’s members shows several yelling “cheats” as the Australians walked through.
“Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
“It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members area.”
The MCC have since apologised for the incident, while AAP has been told the organisation’s CEO Guy Lavender spoke with members at lunch to remind them of behavioural standards.
“The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the Pavilion is very special,” an MCC spokesperson said.
“After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of members.
“We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian Team and will deal with any member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes.
“It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon’s session.”
>Cricket News
%20(3).jpeg)
0 Comments