Jonny Bairstow dismissal: British, Australian Prime Ministers wade into Ashes row

Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal during the Lord’s Test, which Australia won by 43 runs, reached the highest political offices of both countries. Amid allegations of playing against the ‘spirit of the game’, cheating and verbal abuse, political leaders have now waded in.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, via a spokesperson, decried Bairstow’s dismissal — who was stumped during what he appeared to think was a pause in play.

Bairstow was stumped by Australia’s wicket-keeper Alax Carey in clever fashion on Day 5 of the Lord’s Test.

Bairstow ducked a bouncer from Cameron Green and started to walk out of the crease even when the ball was in play. Carey, aware of Bairstow’s mistake, was quick to hit the stumps with an underarm throw. The appeal for the stumping dismissal caught Bairstow off guard and while Australia skipper Pat Cummins had an opportunity to withdraw the appeal, he didn’t.