'If you want to win at all costs then cricket should not be for you' - Geoffrey Boycott responds to Jonny Bairstow's stumping saga

The second Test of the Ashes 2023 between Australia and England lived up to its hype, as the game was full of several memorable and controversial moments. Australia edged past England by 43 runs and got a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Day 5 of the Test was completely action-packed as England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was dismissed in a controversial manner by his Australian counterpart Alex Carey.

Bairstow had strolled out of his crease after ducking a bouncer by Cameron Green. Having seen the batter do so on previous occasions as well, Carey hit the stumps and appealed for a stumping. The decision was referred to the third umpire, who ruled him out as the ball was not dead by the time he left the crease. 

Commenting on the controversial dismissal, legendary England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott wasn’t too pleased with it and called it against the ‘spirit of the game.

“If you want to win at all costs then cricket should not be for you. We want people to play hard and fair but surely there are standards to uphold. When batsmen are not trying to take an advantage then you should not follow the letter of the law. Apply some common sense. If a batsman is trying to pinch some ground, as in a Mankad situation, then that is different. But Jonny was not trying to steal a run,” Boycott was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

He further said that Australia should release a public apology for their actions and called it a shameful incident.

Australia need to make a fulsome public apology: Geoffrey Boycott

“Australia need to have a think about what they did and make a fulsome public apology. That way it will redress the situation and everyone can then move on. These teams have played brilliant cricket in great spirit and it is a shame when something like that happens to spoil it all,” he added.

The entire cricketing fraternity is divided on the matter, and former Australia spinner Brad Hogg also expressed his disappointment on it. Meanwhile, the two teams will lock horns in the third Test on Thursday, July 06, at Headingley, Leeds. England have an uphill task of making a comeback in the series and regaining the Ashes by winning the remaining three Tests.