Australia’s victory in the second Test of the Ashes 2023 series at Lord’s was not without its fair share of drama on Day 5. England began their innings at 114/4, with Ben Duckett (50*) and Ben Stokes (29*) at the crease. However, Australia broke their partnership of 132 runs when Josh Hazlewood dismissed Duckett (83) with a well-directed bouncer.

Jonny Bairstow walked in at number six, hoping to build a crucial partnership with Stokes. Unfortunately, his hopes were shattered in the most unusual manner. During the 52nd over of England’s innings, Bairstow left the last ball bowled by Cameron Green and walked outside his crease to have a chat with Stokes at the other end.

Seizing the opportunity, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw the ball toward the stumps and successfully executed a direct hit. The Australian players immediately appealed, and the decision went in their favor. However, Stokes, Bairstow, and the entire crowd at Lord’s were displeased with the dismissal, perceiving it to be against the spirit of the game.

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According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the decision was well within the rules. Law 20.1.2 of the MCC’s Laws of Cricket states that “the ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play.” In this case, Carey had observed Bairstow walking outside the crease early and acted swiftly to run him out. Therefore, the fielding side considered the ball to still be in play, and it was not deemed dead.

Simon Taufel says the decision to give Jonny Bairstow out was correct.

As a former Australian umpire, life member of Lord’s and member of the MCC Laws sub-committee, Taufel spoke with @abcsydney on the Mornings show. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/8XlRIkc6YE

— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) July 3, 2023

The run-out incident escalated tensions on the field, with Ben Stokes launching an aggressive attack on the Australian bowlers with the bat. Additionally, Australian players David Warner and Usman Khawaja faced confrontation from MCC members in the Long Room while walking back to the dressing room during the lunch break.

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Cricket Australia and the MCC responded to the incidents in the Long Room. Cricket Australia requested the MCC to investigate allegations of verbal abuse and physical contact directed towards the Australian team by spectators in the members’ area during the lunch break. The MCC acknowledged the incidents and offered apologies to the Australian team, stating that they would deal with any member who did not uphold the expected standards through their disciplinary processes. No one was ejected from the ground, and the afternoon session resumed without any further occurrences.