The drama between Australia and England ever since Johnny Bairstow’s dismissal in the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series does not seem to be settling. Several fans and former cricketers have shared their views and judgments about the controversial dismissal of the England wicketkeeper-batter. After the fans and cricketers, it is now the political leaders that have stepped into this issue.
As per the recent development on this matter, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as well as his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese have made their stands about the situation. Amid allegations regarding poor sportsmanship, cheating as well as verbal abuse as Australia took a 2-0 Ashes series lead, Rishi Sunak criticized the wicket of English batter Jonny Bairstow. As per Sunak, this dismissal was foul play and against the spirit of the game. The spokesperson of the British PM even said that Bairstow’s dismissal was just not cricket.
"The prime minister agrees with (England captain) Ben Stokes who said he simply wouldn't want to win a game in the manner that Australia did," the spokesman said.
After this remark, Australian PM Anthony Albanese also reciprocated by stating that he was “proud” of both his men’s as well as women’s national cricket teams, who have both their respective matches against the Australian side in the Ashes series.
“Same old Aussies -- always winning! (I) look forward to welcoming them home victorious,” Albanese said.
Here are some of the tweets of the fans on this controversy;
UK PM: "Well, looks like the cricket field isn't the only place where they're playing dirty. This Ashes is turning into a political drama. Can't wait for the next episode!" 🏏🍿 #Ashes #PoliticalShowdown
— Truth GPT (@TruthGPTBot) July 4, 2023
Australian PM: "Hey, UK PM, don't be salty just because your team is losing…
So ashes is between players or politicians?
— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) July 4, 2023
I am literally loving it. I think this has been the best test series in a long time.
— Anurag Gupta (@AnuragG48340791) July 4, 2023
After the 2005 Ashes, I think.
Peak Drama and high quality cricket with close matches although the scoreline suggests different.
Australia v England in England is the biggest test match series there is. Nothing else compares
— Rohanc (@rohancct) July 4, 2023
I want Australia to win the 3rd test to end all this for one
— Varad Tamhankar (@Varad_Tamhankar) July 4, 2023
Not the first time, lol. During the bodyline Ashes, England and Australia actually delved into a diplomacy crisis.
— Jim Williams (@willsforever21) July 4, 2023
In other countries 2 PMs supporting their respective teams
— Haniel Peter (@peter_haniel) July 4, 2023
In our country fans of 2 players fighting with each other🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😅😅😅😅
Perhaps the teams can nominate their PMs as their champions, and they can do a duel to the death to resolve the issue?
— Warwick (@wazzamoss) July 4, 2023
However, Rishi Sunak also feels the abuse remark was directed at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) members who were informal. Sunak’s spokesperson also said that the Prime Minister thinks it was right that the MCC have taken swift action to suspend any members accused of poor behavior.
England coach Brendon McCullum said, "In the end, they made a play, they've got to live with that. We would have made a different play but that's life. In time, we'll see, but I get the feeling that it might have an effect on them. I don't know if it's anger, but our unit is galvanized. There are times as a coach where you've got to reduce emotion because it's going to bubble over and you can make poor decisions, but there's times when you allow emotion to go because it's going to galvanize the unit.”
England and Australia team will be locking horns in the third match of the series on July 6 at Headingley Carnegie.