'I’ve kept quiet...': Jonny Bairstow opens up for the first time regarding controversial Ashes stumping

England player Jonny Bairstow has opened up for the first time about the controversial stumping by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey during the second Ashes Test earlier this year. In extracts fromLawrence Booth and Nick Hoult’s soon-to-be-published book 'Bazball: The Inside Story of a Test Cricket Revolution’, Bairstow said Australia claimed illegal catches during the series.

The English wicketkeeper-batter had strayed from his crease following the last ball of an over on the final day's play at Lord's when Carey lobbed the ball underarm at the stumps.

“The decision was that I was out, and I moved on,” Bairstow said. “I’ve not brought it up since. I’ve kept quiet. It’s on them. If that’s how they want to go about it and win a cricket game or what have you, then so be it.”

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Bairstow said he wasn't attempting to gain an advantage when he ventured out of the crease and that he wouldn't want such a dismissal to reach the grassroots levels of cricket.

“If you try to gain an advantage, then it’s fair game. But if you’re starting in your crease, you’ve ducked, tap, tap, scratched. I’ve even dragged my bat, looked up, and then gone.

"I've never seen it happen from someone starting in their crease. I don't think you want that filtering down into kids' cricket."

Bairstow accuses Australians

The right-hand batter cast aspersions over the catch taken by Steve Smith to dismiss Joe Root on day two at Lord's, statingthat the ball had hit the ground.

"The one that 'Rooty' fell to at Lord's, when [Smith]said his fingers were underneath the ball. However, they were splayed widely. But that was given out, that's fine — it's part and parcel of the game and the decisions the umpires give."

He also went on to question whetherMarnus Labuschagne had caught Harry Brook cleanly in the second innings of the first Test at Edgbaston.

"There's conjecture around everything.Fingers underneath the ball when the ball's still touching the ground. Celebrating when the ball has touched the ground. Marnus celebrated at Edgbaston at short-leg," he said.

Although the series was drawn 2-2, England were left lamenting the chances they had to take the lead over their perennial Down Under rivals. The English side declared on the first day of the first Test with two wickets in the bag which turned out to be the turning point as Australia went on to win the match.

During the fourth Test, England were on the cusp of a famous victory but rain intervened and the match was called off.

(With inputs from agencies)

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