Ashes 2023: Taufel shares thoughts on Bairstow dismissal

A tightly contested Ashes series is underway and Australia is 2-0 up against the hosts, England. The second test match at Lord’s was a close contest between the two sides but the dismissal of England’s wicket-keeper batter, Jonny Bairstow remained the talking point of the game. His dismissal brought up the debate of ‘playing within the laws or playing within the spirit of the game’. Many ex-cricketers had different opinions regarding the dismissal. Legendary English cricketer Sir Geoffrey Boycott demanded a public apology from the Australian side. Even umpire Simon Taufel shared his thoughts over the dismissal of Bairstow.

Jonny Bairstow dismissal

Jonny Bairstow had ducked under a short ball from Australian tall fast bowler Cameron Green. It was the last ball of the over and Bairstow casually started strolling toward his captain, Ben Stokes who was batting at the other end. The Australian wicket-keeper, Alex Carey then showed a great amount of game awareness to throw the ball at stumps and catch Bairstow out of his crease. Bairstow was surprised as he had assumed the ball to be dead which the Aussie side hadn’t.

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Simon Taufel’s take on the dismissal

Simon Taufel, a legendary umpire, has offered his opinions on the topic while social media and England cricket fans are still talking about it. According to Taufel, England did not agree with the third umpire’s decision to deem Bairstow out, which one could argue also marked the game’s turning moment. Taufel said, “Correct decision made. They (England) just didn’t like it. For that ball to be considered dead after the over or even after the delivery, both sides need to disregard it is in play. Clearly, the fielding side hadn’t.”

Ashes 2023

Australia has won two games out of two and will fancy their chances of winning the Ashes. Interestingly, this could be Australia’s first Ashes victory on England soil since 2001. Following Bairstow’s dismissal at Lord’s, Ben Stokes almost repeated heroics from Headingley in 2019. With Nathan Lyon ruled out of the series it will be a big blow for the Australian side who has been their frontline bowler for 100 consecutive series.

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