In sport, only the rules of the game count

Funny enough, in an ideal world, this should only mean that it was far more important that Bairstow made every effort not to concede his wicket

Australia’s wicket-keeper Alex Carey changes between the overs during day five of the second Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. Image/AFP

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Much anger has been directed at Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey in recent days for dealing a real blow to England’s own wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow. Significantly, most of the disagreements come from English experts, but there are also isolated voices against Carey from other countries.

Here’s what happened: In the last ball of the 52nd over of the last inning of the second Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Bairstow dodged a bouncer and ran away. Carey, alert and alert, immediately released the ball underarm at the stumps, even as Bairstow wandered out of his goal area.

The third referee looked at the replays and concluded that Bairstow was out, causing England a headache. A key aspect of the England pundits and former players’ protestations is that Bairstow was the last recognized batsman, with only skipper Ben Stokes as associate.

Funny enough, in an ideal world, this should only mean that it was far more important that Bairstow made every effort not to concede his wicket.

Ironically, shortly after the social media storm, video clips also surfaced of Bairstow himself trying to bat Marnus Labuschagne in the earlier innings just as the Australian was batting.

Be that as it may, critics need to keep one thing clear: cricket is played by the Laws of the Game. Anything else in the name of an archaic idea of ​​the “Spirit of the Game” – which Australian Steve Smith said “ceased to exist a long, long time ago” – is just whining under another name.