‘Poms’ great Ashes hypocrisy’: Australia reacts to second Test controversy

Australia woke up on Monday morning to an Ashes storm blowing from the other side of the world after Alex Carey’s controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow led to acrimony, recriminations, finger-pointing and a degree of bafflement.

Battle lines were drawn almost immediately after the England batter’s dismissal on day five of the second Test at Lord’s, as the not unfamiliar debate centring on the rules of the game v the spirit of the game was reopened.

England captain Ben Stokes was, perhaps understandably, in the latter camp and questioned in his post-match interview whether Australia’s appeal was in the spirit of the game. But Australians were quick to point out that on day three, Bairstow had attempted to stump Marnus Labuschagne in a similar fashion.

“Can’t have it both ways chaps!” ran a Fox Sports headline. “Damning footage exposes Poms’ great Ashes hypocrisy.”

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I’m genuinely mystified by today. The first lesson of batting is stay in your ground. Keepers attempt those runouts routinely. Then suddenly people are raging like it’s some shock new thing. https://t.co/X3LHIEvj23

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) July 2, 2023

Stuart Broad, who joined Ben Stokes at the crease once Bairstow departed, was clearly riled by the decision and went on to play out his usual role of pantomime villain – ensuring he had made his ground with exaggerated movements after each ball he survived. Some Australians were not impressed by the performance.

England’s outcry over the incident prompted questions over “whether people who live in glass houses should throw stones”, the non-bylined Fox Sports piece read, highlighting another incident from last year when England ran out New Zealand’s Colin De Grandhomme when he was out of his crease.

An aggrieved Brendan McCullum suggested he may skip post-series beers with Australia over the incident, but it was pointed out the England coach himself has form in this particular realm of controversy.

In the Sydney Morning Herald, columnist Peter FitzSimons wrote: “There are complaints that can be made against Carey’s action, but the hardened professionals of the England cricket team aren’t the ones to make them.”

Amid the rancour, there was room for some much-needed humour.

But ugly scenes witnessed in the usually genteel Long Room at Lord’s as the Australian team who were booed off the pitch were not welcome. The touring side alleged several players were “verbally abused” or “physically contacted” as they returned to the dressing room at lunch, prompting the MCC to issue an unreserved apology.

The atmosphere in the pavilion had “turned feral on Australia”, a headline in the Nine newspapers read.

Not all Australians were on the same page though, with the former Test spinner Brad Hogg going against the grain in his homeland.