The recent encounter between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the NATO summit in Lithuania took a playful turn as the leaders engaged in banter revolving around the ongoing Ashes series. Known for their wit and humor, both leaders couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease each other about their teams’ performances.
During a photo session, Albanese mischievously handed Sunak a piece of paper displaying the scoreline ‘2-1’, highlighting Australia’s current lead in the series. Sunak, quick to respond, pulled out a photo from his portfolio featuring Mark Wood and Chris Woakes celebrating their victory at Leeds. Not to be outdone, Albanese countered by showcasing an image of the controversial dismissal of England’s Jonny Bairstow in the second Test.
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In a clever retort, Sunak jokingly remarked, “I’m sorry I didn’t bring my sandpaper with me,” alluding to the infamous ball-tampering scandal involving the Australian cricket team in 2018 in South Africa. The playful exchange continued on Twitter, with Sunak promising to gift Albanese one of their ministerial folders while gently reminding him of the recent match results.
And of course we discussed the #Ashes pic.twitter.com/FeKESkb062
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 11, 2023
I caught up with Prime Minister @RishiSunak to discuss progress with AUKUS, technology transfer and economic challenges, as well as the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement. pic.twitter.com/5FAAsWGMYL
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 11, 2023
The banter between the Prime Ministers adds an entertaining twist to the already fierce rivalry between the Australian and English cricket teams. While Sunak’s spokesperson expressed dissatisfaction with Bairstow’s dismissal, Albanese proudly defended his country’s cricket team, highlighting their winning spirit. Albanese’s tweet after Australia’s victory at Lord’s showcased his support for both the men’s and women’s teams, emphasizing their consecutive successes against England.
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However, the meeting between the Prime Ministers went beyond cricket and covered various bilateral issues, including AUKUS, technology transfer, and the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement. The friendly banter between Albanese and Sunak exemplifies the camaraderie shared between the two nations, even amidst a competitive sporting event. As the Ashes series progresses, cricket fans on both sides eagerly await the outcome of the remaining matches, with Australia currently holding the advantage.
The ongoing rivalry on the cricket pitch continues to captivate audiences, while the lighthearted exchange between the Prime Ministers adds a touch of amusement to the diplomatic ties between Australia and the United Kingdom.
