PM Anthony Albanese throws his support behind Aussie cricketers amidst Ashes controversy

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has weighed in on the recent Ashes controversy, offering his full support to the Australian team.

Albanese playfully reminded England that Australia is consistently achieving victory, in response to the British Prime Minister’s criticism of Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping.

British PM Rishi Sunak expressed his support for England cricket captain Ben Stokes amidst the Ashes scandal, stating that the decision went against the principles of fair play in cricket.

“The prime minister agrees with Ben Stokes, and he said he simply wouldn’t want to win a game in the manner Australia did,” a statement from Sunak’s spokesperson read.

“The game did provide an opportunity to see Ben Stokes at his best and it was an incredible Test match, and he has confidence England will bounce back at Headingley.”

Albanese was quick to hit back at his English counterpart’s claims, offering his full support to the Australian team.

“I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who have both won their opening two #Ashes matches against England,” Albanese said.

“Same old Aussies – always winning!

“Australia is right behind Alyssa Healy, Pat Cummins and their teams and look forward to welcoming them home victorious.”

“I thought it was fair” — Pat Cummins on the Jonny Bairstow dismissal.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/Fhi2GU1m9n

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) July 2, 2023

Tempers flared on the final day of the Ashes match between England and Australia due to a controversial dismissal. The incident occurred early in the day at Lord’s.

During the play, Bairstow ducked under a short-pitched delivery from Cameron Green. He then walked towards the middle of the pitch to have a conversation with England’s captain, Ben Stokes, who was at the non-striker’s end.

Seizing an opportunity, Alex Carey, the Australian wicketkeeper, threw the ball and hit the stumps, leaving Bairstow surprised when the third umpire ruled him out.

The Australian team’s decision to pursue the appeal instead of withdrawing it angered both the players and the crowd.

As per the Laws of Cricket, once the fielding team and the batsmen no longer consider the ball in play, it is considered dead. In this particular scenario, since Carey threw the ball after retrieving it, the umpires made the correct decision.

Interestingly, Bairstow himself had attempted a similar stumping opportunity earlier in the match, when he threw the ball at the stumps while Marnus Labuschagne was batting on the third day.

Despite the rightful nature of Carey’s dismissal and Australia’s subsequent 43-run victory in the second Ashes Test, the team is currently enduring constant taunting and criticism from English cricket enthusiasts.