Jonny Bairstow has been sensationally dismissed on the final day of the second Ashes Test, after a lapse in concentration proved costly against Australia.
In the wake of the visitors' 43-run victory at Lord's, securing a 2-0 series lead, the cricketing world has been set alight over the controversial play from Aussie keeper Alex Carey.
Bairstow would duck a bouncer from all-rounder Cameron Green and proceeded to wander out of his crease, allowing Carey to throw the stumps down and dismiss his England counterpart.
The on-field umpires had not deemed it a dead ball at the time Carey released the ball, and after some back-and-forth consultation between both captains, the decision was made to send Bairstow on his way.
Watch the full Bairstow dismissal below.
Carey runs out Bairstow in dramatic fashion. 😲#TheAshes 2nd Test | Live, on Channel 9 & 9Now.#9WWOS #Cricket #Ashes #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/3E8lVn5yEU
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 2, 2023
The predominantly-subdued Lord's crowd were unhappy with the wicket, loudly booing the incident, while England veteran Stuart Broad made his opinions known immediately after arriving at the crease.
"[That was] literally the worst thing I’ve ever seen in cricket," Broad said.
“You’ll forever be remembered for that.”
Australia would take the final six wickets on day five, with the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc doing some of the damage.
Should Jonny Bairstow have been given out?
The laws of cricket indicate that Bairstow's dismissal was the correct call.
According to law 20.1.2, "the ball shall be considered 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".
Given the fact Carey immediately threw the ball back towards the stumps - a common occurrence in all levels of cricket - and Bairstow was out of his crease.
Australia, England divided over Jonny Bairstow dismissal
Australian opener Usman Khawaja was quizzed on the wicket following the conclusion of play, claiming it all comes down to the umpire's judgement.
“The decision is in the umpire’s hands... if the umpire deems it a dead ball today, it’s a dead ball," he told Channel 9.
“You have to accept the umpire’s decision, that’s why the umpires are there. There is always grey areas in cricket.
“The way it played out in some respects was pretty disappointing. I love Stewy Broad, he’s one of my favourite cricketers, the way he plays it... he was pretty riled up out there, which you don’t want to see.”
England skipper Ben Stokes admitted it was a tough pill to swallow in his post-game address and believes he wouldn't have done the same thing in that situation.
“If the shoe was on the other foot, I would probably just have to have a little think around the whole spirit of the game,” he said.
“I would have had to have a real think around the spirit of the game, and would I want to potentially win a game with something like that happening — and it would be no.”
England coach Brendon McCullum was also torn over the dismissal and admitted the two sides wouldn't be interacting off the field for the remainder of The Ashes.
"I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer any time soon," he told BBC Test Match Special.
“When you become older and more mature, you realise the game and the spirit of it is something you need to protect. You have to make decisions in the moment, and they can have effects on games and people’s characters.
"By the letter of the law, he is out.... [but] Jonny was not trying to take a run. It is one of those difficult ones to swallow and you look at the small margins, it is incredibly disappointing.
“Lots of people will have their opinion on both sides of the fence - the most disappointing thing is that it will be the most talked about event of a great Test match.”
McCullum's comments are somewhat interesting, given some eagle-eyed fans and experts on social media were quick to point out a similar incident from the Kiwi star's playing days.
A friendly reminder to all England supporters - Brendon McCullum attempted to do the exact same thing to Paul Collingwood back in 2009.
— Will Faulkner (@willzfaulk) July 2, 2023
Funny how these things often come full circle 🤲🏽@wwos #TheAshes #9WWOS #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/RiW9hynaSf
Australian captain Pat Cummins was content with his decision not to withdraw the side's appeal.
“Carey saw it happen a few balls previous… there was no pause, straight away catch it and have a throw at the stumps," he told Sky Sports.
"I thought it was totally fair play, that’s how the rule is. I know some people might disagree, just like the catch yesterday – the rule is there and that’s how I saw it.
Social media react to Jonny Bairstow wicket
While the general consensus among those without a bias is that Bairstow's dismissal was fair play by the letter of the law, some were still unhappy with the 'spirit of cricket' shown by the Aussies.
Piers Morgan was among those quick to condemn the move.
You cannot be serious??!!
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 2, 2023
Australia, that is pathetic. How can you possibly want to win an Ashes Test match like that?
That’s horrendous from Australia.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) July 2, 2023
Jonny Bairstow clearly marks his crease with his back foot.
Shocking display of sportsmanship.
Cannot believe Australia continued with their appeal.
On the flip side, many back in Australia were on board with the clever play from Carey.
Laws of the game good enough yesterday, good enough today.
— Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) July 2, 2023
Sorry chaps.
Thought we had seen this before. Jonny Bairstow attempting to catch Marnus Labuschagne stepping out of his crease two days ago. #Ashes @wwos @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/U28fEvlEu8
— Sam Djodan (@samdjodan) July 2, 2023
The conjecture on the field between the two teams was whether the umpire had called over before Alex Carey threw the ball at the stumps. If so, that would’ve entitled Jonny Bairstow to leave the crease. But the umpire made it clear he had not called over. @SEN_Cricket
— Adam White (@White_Adam) July 2, 2023
The third Test between Australia and England will begin on July 6th at Headingley, with the visitors looking to secure an unassailable 3-0 series lead.