Cricket, a widely popular sport, has taken a serious turn beyond the realm of fun and games.
A heated exchange of words has ensued between the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Australia due to a cricket match in an ongoing bilateral series. This verbal battle has also spilled over into the media, with the British and Australian press taking shots at each other.
Currently, the Australian cricket team is in England for the Ashes, a bilateral series between England and Australia. The Ashes, which has a history spanning over 140 years, is considered one of the oldest sporting rivalries. However, controversies and banter are not uncommon in this series, but it’s rare for prime ministers to get involved.
In cricket, batters must stay behind a white line called the crease when the ball is live. If they wander out of the crease and the opposition fielder dislodges the wickets, they are immediately out.
During a match at Lord’s cricket ground in London, English cricketer Jonny Bairstow mistakenly left his crease while batting against Australia. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Australia’s wicketkeeper, Alex Carey, swiftly stumped Bairstow. Though this mode of dismissal is legal, it has faced heavy criticism in England for being unsportsmanlike.
English fans, former players, and newspapers have all voiced their opinions on the matter. England cricket team captain Ben Stokes stated that Australia’s actions did not align with the “spirit of cricket,” while Australian captain Pat Cummins argued that it was a fair dismissal within the rules.
England’s Jonny Bairstow, left, reacts as he watches the replay of his dismissal on a big screen during the fifth day of the second Ashes Test match between England and Australia, at Lord’s cricket ground in London, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth).
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed support for his captain’s viewpoint.
“The prime minister agrees with Ben Stokes. He said he simply wouldn’t want to win a game in the manner Australia did,” a spokesperson for Sunak’s office told reporters on Monday.
Several voices in England have demanded a formal apology, labeling Australians as “cheats.” In response, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for his team.
“He (Sunak) must not have received the same life lessons I did in primary school… stay in your crease,” Albanese remarked.
In a playful reference to English fan chants of “Same old Aussies, always cheating,” Albanese quipped, “Same old Aussies, always winning.”
Australian newspapers joined in the criticism of Sunak and other prominent figures, such as TV personality Piers Morgan. Some newspapers even featured visuals of Stokes, Sunak, Morgan, and former England captain Geoff Boycott as babies with pacifiers.
Headlines included phrases like “Crybabies” and “The wobbly upper lip,” poking fun at the supposed ability of the English to gracefully accept defeat.
The Ashes series is far from over, with three more matches yet to be played. With two losses in two games, England, led by Stokes, will be eager to shed the “crybaby” label and secure some victories.
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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
