Ben Stokes has responded in a lighthearted manner to a critical assessment of the England captain by an Australian newspaper. The front page of The West Australian featured an edited image of a baby with Stokes’ face, along with a headline and subhead that labeled the English team as crybabies. Stokes took to Twitter to playfully counter the claims, stating, “That’s definitely not me, since when did I bowl with the new ball.”
In light of recent controversy during the Ashes, the incident involving Jonny Bairstow’s stumping on the final day of the second Test at Lord’s has caused further debate. Bairstow had repeatedly strayed from his crease and was caught off guard by Alex Carey’s quick thinking, resulting in his dismissal. This moment was crucial in Australia’s victory and England’s consecutive loss.
Stokes expressed his frustration with Australia’s actions, raising concerns about the spirit of the game. He questioned whether it was justified for the umpires to call over and contemplated how he would have approached the situation differently if roles were reversed. Stokes emphasized his respect for the rules but voiced his doubts regarding the on-field umpire’s movements and their impact on the game.
The controversy surrounding Bairstow’s stumping continues to generate discussion, as it ended England’s batting partnership before the tail came in. The tactic used by Carey has been repeatedly questioned, as it was executed immediately after the ball was bowled, while Bairstow was still in his crease. In response to Stokes’ grievances, Australian captain Pat Cummins simply replied, “Okay,” followed by a prolonged silence when confronted with the issue during an interview.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
