Ashes 2023: How Australia PM and UK PM reacted to Jonny Bairstow controversy

But amid the wins, there is an overwhelming tinge of sourness between the two sides, which has heightened after a controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow. There have been words exchanged from both sides after Bairstow was stumped controversially on the final day of the 2nd Test.

And now, the Prime Ministers of both countries have come to the fray and have ignited the animosity.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently said he would not ‘want to win a game that way’, and the Aussie PM Anthony Albanese has replied that winning is just what the Australian team does.

What happened with Jonny Bairstow

For the uninitiated, Jonny Bairstow was stumped out in controversial circumstances on the final day of 2nd Test at the Lord’s. Bairstow ducked a delivery from Cameron Green and left his crease.

Despite it being the last ball of the over, Aussie keeper Alex Carey threw the ball to the stumps and the English batter was declared out by the third umpire as the word ‘Over’ was not uttered by on-field umpires.

????????????#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/dDGCnj4qNm

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 2, 2023

England captain Ben Stokes was bemused by Australia’s approach and said he would not dismiss any opponent in that way.

UK PM Rishi Sunak ‘wouldn’t want to win in the manner’

UK PM Rishi Sunak also echoed Stokes’ sentiments. A spokesperson of the PM said, “The prime minister agrees with Ben Stokes. He said he simply wouldn’t want to win a game in the manner Australia did.”

Sunak also confirmed that the English team have the ability to bounce back from the third Test onwards.

And now the Australian PM Anthony Albanese has blatantly supported his country. He said that he is proud of the team that has a knack for winning.

Always winning: Australia PM Anthony Albanese

“I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who have both won their opening two #Ashes matches against England. Same old Aussies – always winning! Australia is right behind @ahealy77, @patcummins30 and their teams and look forward to welcoming them home victorious,” the Australian PM tweeted on Tuesday (July 4).

I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who have both won their opening two #Ashes matches against England.

Same old Aussies – always winning!

Australia is right behind @ahealy77, @patcummins30 and their teams and look forward to welcoming them home victorious ????

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 3, 2023

The Ashes juggernaut now shifts to Leeds as the third Test starts on Thursday. The visitors require a draw in the Third Test to avoid a series defeat.