Ashes: Ben Stokes accuses Australia of forgetting ‘spirit of the game’ after stumping Jonny Bairstow

Ben Stokes insisted that he did not agree with Australia’s decision not to recall Jonny Bairstow after the England wicketkeeper was controversially stumped by Alex Carey as Pat Cummins’ side took a two-nil lead in the Ashes, on a day when the MCC had to apologise after Australia players were abused by members in the Long Room at Lord’s.

Stokes’ stunning century threatened to pull off an astonishing England win in front of a febrile Lord’s crowd but he was dismissed for 155, with England still 70 adrift of their target and the tourists went on to complete a 43-run win.

‘I am not disputing the fact it is out because it is out,’ said Stokes.

‘If the shoe was on the other foot, I would have put more pressure on the umpires and asked whether they had called over and had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game and whether I would want to do something like that. 

‘For Australia, it was the match-winning moment. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer is no,’ Stokes added.

England captain Ben Stokes (left) was unhappy with Australia’s stumping of Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow (middle) was controversially stumped by Australia wicket keeper Alex Carey

Cummins, on the other hand, was unapologetic and adamant that Australia had made the right call, when asked whether he considered the spirit of cricket.

‘I thought it was fair. You see Jonny do it all the time. He did it on Day One to (David) Warner. He did it in 2019 to Steve (Smith). It’s a really common thing for keepers to do if they see a batter keep on leaving their crease,’ said the Australia captain.

‘Caz (Carey) – full credit to him. He saw the opportunity a few balls beforehand and rolled at the stumps. Jonny left his crease and we’ll leave the rest to the umpires,’ Cummins added.

With England now needing to win all three remaining Tests to retain the Ashes, Stokes was however adamant that his side still have what it takes to pull off the unthinkable.

‘We won 3-0 against New Zealand (last summer) and we won 3-0 against Pakistan in Pakistan. We’ve won three games in a row twice, so all we’re thinking about is winning the series 3-2.’

England have named a 15-man squad for the third Test at Headingley, which begins on Thursday, with Matthew Potts and Rehan Ahmed omitted and Stokes expects a hostile atmosphere in Leeds after admitting that the atmosphere at Lord’s reminded him of the 2019 World Cup final, when England beat New Zealand.

Bairstow was bemused after being dismissed on the final day at Lord’s on Sunday

Stokes insisted that Australia didn’t consider the ‘spirit of the game’ by taking the wicket

‘It wasn’t until I got out and went out on the balcony to watch and I was just like: ‘I’ve never heard Lord’s like this,’ said Stokes. ‘Yes, I definitely think it’s going to be ramped up (at Headingley). 

‘Australia have had their past and have come here a few times since (Sandpapergate) and I think they’re all used to the English crowd. 

‘When we go to Australia we get lambasted as well. Look, that’s part of the sport we play – you get thousands of people together who want their team to win and they’ll just jump on stuff. 

‘We get it in Australia – 90,000 Australians at the MCG all cursing at you. It’s part of it. It’s part of the job.’