Former England player Geoffrey Boycott has demanded a public apology from the Australian team over the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s as well. He also added people will think highly of the Australians if they admit their mistakes as well. Bairstow’s controversial dismissal took place in the 52nd over of Day 5. After ducking a short-pitched delivery, he walked out of the crease before the ball became dead and Alex Carey used the opportunity and dismissed him.
In his column for The Telegraph, Boycott said, “If a batsman is trying to pinch some ground, as in a Mankad situation, then that is different. Jonny was not trying to steal a run. Australia now have had the time to think about what happened.”We all make mistakes in the heat of the moment. People will think better of the Australians if they put their hands up and say ‘we’ve got it wrong’. That is the way to go. Let’s see over the next few days if they are man enough to do that.”
READ MORE: Sanjay Manjrekar dissects Virat Kohli’s poor show in WTC Final
Australia faced criticism following the controversial dismissal as the crowd booed them. Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja and David Warner also had some heated exchanges with members at Lord’s while going for lunch as well. Boycott also recalled an incident during the 1964 tour of South Africa when the then captain Ian Smith had a controversial dismissal as well.
READ MORE: Harbhajan Singh says Australia have the upperhand in the WTC final
“I have always admired and respected the Australians for being fair-minded, tough competitors.”On my first tour with England to South Africa in 1964, our captain Ian Smith was given out in controversial circumstances, similar to Jonny Bairstow stumping on Sunday. He thought ‘over’ had been called, but the short leg fielder had threw the stumps down. Trevor Goddard, the South African captain, came running up, talked to his players and went to the umpire to reverse the appeal. If you want to win at all costs, then cricket should not be for you,” he concluded.
