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Premier England batsman Joe Root has sided with the Australian Cricket Team regarding the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow during the Ashes. Root emphasized that Bairstow’s dismissal was within the rules, noting that if Bairstow had remained inside the crease, he wouldn’t have been out.
One of the key moments of the Ashes 2023 was Bairstow’s dismissal in the Lord’s Test. He was stumped after advancing down the pitch prematurely, allowing Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey to execute the run-out by hitting the stumps from behind.
Bairstow and other England players were visibly upset by the decision, sparking a heated debate among fans and experts about the spirit of cricket. Reflecting on the incident a year later in an ECB documentary, Root admitted his initial anger but acknowledged the legality of the dismissal. He expressed understanding that Bairstow might be displeased with his statement, yet affirmed that staying inside the crease prevents such dismissals.
“Initially I was quite angry, but I think when you’re involved in the game it’s very difficult to put yourself in the other position. So I’d like to say I would have dealt with it differently, but I could very easily have done the same thing.
“At the end of the day, it’s within the laws of the game. You should be aware as a player. Jonny will hate me saying this, but if you stay in your crease you can’t get given out can you?”
Look I can’t wait for tomorrow – Jonny Bairstow’s comments a night ahead of the dismissal
In the ECB documentary, Jonny Bairstow eagerly anticipated taking the field on Day 5, expressing his enthusiasm for what he anticipated would be a remarkable day in England Cricket. He remarked:
“Look I can’t wait for tomorrow. We’ve been a part of some special things over the last 18 months. And for me, it just feels like it could potentially be one of those amazing days, and someone just stands up and puts their name on the board, makes a contribution, sticks your chest out, front up and we’ll be fine.”
The video also showed Moeen Ali’s comments on the same. He stated: “I always felt Jonny leaves his crease so early, he leaves the ball and just walks straight down, and I always felt he leaves early,” he concluded.
