Ashish Ranjan
England resumed their innings on Day 5 of the second Test of the Ashes 2023 at Lord’s on 114/4, with Ben Duckett (50*) and Ben Stokes (29*) at the crease. Josh Hazlewood’s bouncer dismissal of Duckett (83) for 83 allowed Australia to break the partnership of 132 runs when it broke the stand.
Jonny Bairstow walked in at number six with the intention of forming a crucial partnership with Ben Stokes. However, his hopes were dashed when he was eliminated in the most bizarre way imaginable. During the 52nd over of England’s innings, Bairstow walked out of his crease to speak with Stokes at the other end after receiving the final delivery from Cameron Green.
Upon recognizing that Bairstow was out, Carey threw the ball towards the wickets and scored a direct strike. All Australian competitors immediately filed an appeal and were granted a favorable ruling. Stokes, Bairstow, and the entire Lord’s audience felt that the dismissal was against the spirit of the game.
However, the decision was entirely in accordance with the regulations as clarified by the International Cricket Council (ICC).Law 20.1.2 of the MCC’s Laws of Cricket states that “the ball shall be considered dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play.”
In this instance, Carey observed Bairstow walking outside the crease prematurely and acted quickly to run him out. Therefore, the fielding team regarded the ball to be in play and it was not considered dead.
David Warner and Usman Khawaja argued with an elderly supporter in the Lord’s Long Room.
Ben Stokes began an all-out assault on Australia with the bat following the dismissal, which caused the middle to heat up. David Warner and Usman Khawaja were also accosted by MCC members in the Long Room on their way back to the dressing room after lunch for their actions.
Cricket Australia and the MCC both issued statements in response to the occurrence in the Long Room. “The Australian management has requested that the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) investigate a number of incidences involving spectators in the members area during lunch on the fifth day of the Lord’s Test.
As they made their way to lunch through the members area, it is alleged that players and personnel from the Australian team were verbally and physically abused.
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A spokesperson for the MCC stated, “The Long Room is unique in international cricket, and passing through the Pavilion is a great honor. A small number of Members exchanged unfortunate words with a portion of the Australian team following this morning’s play, as emotions were running high.
“We have apologized unreservedly to the Australian team and will take disciplinary action against any member who has not maintained the standard we expect. It was not necessary to eject anyone from the stadium, and I am delighted to report that there was no repeat of the incident when the players returned to the field this afternoon.”
