‘Doesn't want to see such things....’- Jonny Bairstow finally opens up on his infamous Ashes dismissal

Jonny Bairstow has finally spoken publicly about his controversial dismissal at Lord's, and has also criticized Australia's poor sportsmanship during the Ashes series. Bairstow's dismissal sparked a heated debate, which went beyond the cricket pitch. The stumping incident highlighted the tension in the drawn Ashes series. The English team even refused to invite the Australians to their dressing room for the traditional post-series beers. 

On the fifth day of the match, Jonny Bairstow was facing Australian bowler Cameron Green in the 52nd over. He had scored 10 runs and assumed the ball was dead, so he walked out of his crease. However, Australian wicket-keeper Alex Carey noticed Bairstow's movement and quickly threw the ball at the stumps. Bairstow was stumped, and the third umpire upheld Australia's appeal as the ball was still in play but it all sparked a huge controversy on whether it was right or was against the spirit of the game and Bairstow finally had his say on the event that unfolded during the Ashes. 

"Bairstow told the Telegraph that he didn't mean to gain an advantage when he wandered out of his crease at Lord's, and he doesn't want to see such things happen in youth cricket either." The decision was that I was out, and I moved on, “I’ve not brought it up since. I’ve kept quiet. It’s on them. If that’s how they want to go about it and win a cricket game or what have you, then so be it.” Bairstow said.  

He further added, “If you try to gain an advantage, then it’s fair game,” he said. “But if you’re starting in your crease, you’ve ducked, tap, tap, scratched. I’ve even dragged my bat, looked up, and then gone. “I’ve never seen it happen from someone starting in their crease. I don’t think you want that filtering down into kids’ cricket.”

Bairstow further Casts Doubt on Australia's Catching Tactics

Jonny Bairstow also accused Australia of taking unfair catches in the field during the Ashes series. He suggested that Steve Smith may have dropped the ball before catching Joe Root on day two at Lord's, and that Marnus Labuschagne may not have cleanly caught Harry Brook in the second innings of the first Test at Edgbaston.

Bairstow stated in the interview, “There’s conjecture around everything, fingers underneath the ball when the ball’s still touching the ground. Celebrating when the ball has touched the ground. Marnus celebrated at Edgbaston at short-leg.”

“Then the one that ‘Rooty’ fell to at Lord’s, when [Smith] said his fingers were underneath the ball. However, they were splayed widely. “But that was given out, that’s fine – it’s part and parcel of the game and the decisions the umpires give.”