Australia accused of Ashes ‘cheating’ after England’s Jonny Bairstow called out

Australia were accused of “cheating” in The Ashes on Sunday after Jonny Bairstow was called out in controversial circumstances. Bairstow had assumed the ball was dead at the end of an over and left his crease, with Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey taking the opportunity to throw the ball at the stumps to remove the England batsman.

England appeared to be down and out in the second Test of The Ashes series at Lord’s Cricket Ground after coming out second best at Edgbaston in the first Test. And the hosts were given a second innings target of 371.

England had racked-up 193 runs but had lost five wickets after 52 overs. But their afternoon took a turn for the worse after Bairstow had ducked under the final delivery of the over.

Bairstow was clearly under the impression that the ball had been deemed to be dead and the over had come to an end as he wandered out of his crease to talk to fellow batsman Ben Stokes. But Carey had other ideas and seized his opportunity to launch the ball at the stumps after sweeping up Cameron Green’s delivery.

Bairstow looked stunned as the Australians started to celebrate. And after a check, the 33-year-old was called out. The crowd at Lord’s started to boo loudly as soon as the decision was announced, with a livid Bairstow making a remark to the Australia players as he walked back to the pavilion.

According to the official laws of the game, “the ball shall be considered to be 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.” And England fans in the crowd patently believed their team had been duped as they chanted, cheat, cheat, cheat.” They then sang, “same old Aussies, always cheating,” as the atmosphere in London turned sour.

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