Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along in sport for participants to prove they possess a unique courage to be bigger the game.
Pat Cummins, who has enjoyed painting himself and his team with a holier-than-thou image, failed that test on day five at Lord’s.
We all know the incident. Jonny Bairstow had ducked under a bouncer on the last ball of Cameron Green’s over and walked from the crease. Alex Carey took the ball cleanly and threw the stumps down. The third umpire gave Bairstow out stumped and outrage has ensued, including most vividly in the MCC members area as the players left the field for lunch.
Firstly, we don’t need to entertain the thoughts of parochial barrackers. If you are Australian and think it was out or English and think it was not out, then you have no credibility here. Even worse if you are pretending to be unbiased. This of course includes almost all the Australian media and journos on tour – whether they struggle to type with Aussie face-paint dripping onto their fingers is for them to answer.
Those who think it is out are arguing the technical issues. The ball must be seen as dead by batsmen, fielders and umpires, and in this case Alex Carey felt the ball was very much alive. His quick-wittedness and skill were on display, and it is worth pointing out that as a cricketer he is in the form of his life.
Could we argue the technicalities? I think yes. The square leg umpire was already walking in, the controlling umpire had removed Green’s cap and preparing to give it to him, and Bairstow has gone from ducking under the ball to resuming his normal stance, taken a step, made a deliberate move to scuff his crease, and then gone to greet Ben Stokes for a mid-pitch conversation as happens at the end of an over, all around the world at all levels of cricket.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Either way, this is not a technical issue but a moral one. And this is where the lack of moral fibre, among “Ugly Aussie” cricketers and fans alike, becomes apparent. Trevor Chappell’s underarm was within the rules too.
There is a similarity to be drawn to Mankadding here, and it’s that this was much worse. With a Mankad, a batsmen is trying to gain an unfair advantage by leaving his crease early in order to complete a run.
Bairstow was not attempting a run, and everyone on that ground knew it. And they specifically knew it because they felt Bairstow has a habit of leaving his crease early at the competition of a ball. Perhaps a quiet word might have been the order of the day, for this most heinous crime?
Bairstow was not batting out of his crease. He had not over-balanced after playing a shot or danced down the wicket, all instances that would have seen him leave his crease and be mandated to return. No, he had avoided the ball, scuffed his crease, and gone down to do some gardening and have a chat.
Simply, Bairstow had not proven incompetent in the act of playing a cricket shot or seeking any advantage, fair or unfair, at all.
Carey’s actions were fine, and in the heat of battle all was fair to throw down the stumps and appeal. But the Australians, led by Cummins, had a chance to do the right thing, the moral thing, the sporting thing.
The appeal should have been withdrawn when it was clear that Bairstow was not attempting a run. The batsman should have been recalled once given out on a technicality.
There are very few who would have the strength of character to put the game ahead of the contest, but Cummins had always appealed as some who would embody it. Later, having had time to reflect, he doubled down.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The worst part is that Australia was well in control of the contest anyway, and almost certainly would have won, despite the extraordinary heroics of Ben Stokes.
Cummins had a chance to take a 2-0 Ashes lead AND cement himself as one of the most honourable people that has ever played the game. His legend would have sat alongside John Landy helping the fallen Ron Clarke to his feet and still winning the race.
Instead, this Ashes, which was shaping as one of the greatest, and the spirit of cricket has been tarnished. What an opportunity lost.
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
You are a half wit.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
BOB!! You’re back! Sorry ‘Aussie’ Bob. Man you’re like that runt fish that I keep throwing back but just can’t stop reeling in time after time after time lol
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
You just can't let go hey chump. Goodluck.
timbo59
Roar Rookie
LOL – Yep, there’s a comeback for the ages. You must have really had the midnight oil burning to come up with such a witty riposte – four days after I posted my message. To be fair to whom – you and your craven inability to actually address core issues, as against dancing all around them like some clumsy hoofer? Pretty feeble and pathetic attempt to save face and run away, but then that’s what people like you do. A lot to unpack? If you wanted confirmation on my point about your Twitter-based attention span, you just made it. But we get it. You swanned out of here, head held high and noble to the end. Self-delusion goes a long way with Brits like you.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
still, nobody has ever really argued whether it was out or not (although there is some contention that a "dead ball" ruling could also have been supported - not my strong view.) nobody also really disputes that Bairstow was careless and put himself at jeopardy. i can think of a "mitigation" - keep the game moving, the over rates are always slow. but whatever. i still think you're missing my point. 1. the Laws apply. 2. players trigger the Laws (actions, appeals). 3. Umpires adjudicate on the Laws. 4. captains can untrigger various Laws, on reflction. we're talking 2 and 4 here. doing the deed. and then letting the deed stand. most support 2 and then 4 follows. i would never do 2 and this wouldn't have to do 4, and would probably withdraw an appeal using 4 in this circumstance. and when i said it wasn't the end of the story, that was almost a week ago. happy to leave it in furious disagreement back there/
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Didn't like all the bowling plans, but that stumping one was pretty good. Spotted a weakness and exploited it ruthlessly.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Even Stokes admitted in his presser that according to the rules it was out, he just didn't like it. He doesn't have to like it, rules are rules. You go out of your crease before the ball is dead, you take your chances. It's on the batter to watch the ball and choose when to step out of the crease - no-one made him. Fair dismissal, rubbish cricket by Bairstow
Married to an Aussie
Roar Rookie
Holy sh 1t that’s a lot to unpack. To be fair, I’m not going to waste my time further here.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I didn't realize that when you were referring to him being dismissed 'handled the ball,' you were actually talking about disputed catches. I assumed you were talking about him being dismissed 'handled the ball.' My mistake...
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
Of course you did .. Steve Waugh would never cross the line .. so when he claim that catch ..which hit the ground .. he just had blonde moment …
10 Pound Reject
Roar Rookie
There are the laws of cricket and the English laws of cricket. The English laws are for them only and when it doesn't suit them they whinge and boo like the cry babies!
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I was referring to Steve Waugh's dismissal.
timbo59
Roar Rookie
A few corrections to my post - I was writing in haste as I was due to go out, so it wasn't proofed in the manner I would normally have taken. By the time I got back home it was already too late to correct the errors. I meant eminently, not imminently (I made a slight typo and absently picked the wrong alternative in the resulting pop-up) tossed in a couple of 'who's' instead of 'whose', and left out an 'a'. Ta ta! :)
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Curators and variations in pitches are an integral part of the game. I did wonder why you put question marks on your comments.
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
Yes which one of the times the captain of nz .. actually withdrawal the appeal .. so it’s actually only twice ..which b mack actually apologised for his run out in the Sri Lanka Game .. which he said in 2016 he regretted doing ..now let’s see how Greg Chappell reacted to the underarm .. he never apologise..made him to be the victim .. that was the Australian board fault for playing too many matches .. At lest b Mack admit he was wrong ..Australia players never admit they are wrong ..only need to look at poor Michael Clarke or David in the sandpaper saga ..
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
Surely you not referring to Greg Chappell ..like the time he was caught out for 58 runs ..senddon told Greg and the umpires he had caught the ball which he had ..that right your boy Greg refused to be given out ..so he stay on lol ..I’m quite sure he did not accepted the decision ..
Brett305
Roar Rookie
If this article was printed it’s only use would be to wrap up my dogs droppings…utter garbage.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And he accepted the decision.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
So, because it's his job to push the boundaries, you support Carey stumping Bairstow?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
McCullum did the wrong thing(s) and has apparently grown from it, but downplays his past and condemns those who make what he considers comparable transgressions. He's a born again Spirit of Cricketer.