If the spirit of cricket is considered, then Johnny Bairstow should be given the opportunity to continue: Brad Hogg

The controversy related to Johnny Bairstow does not seem to end with many cricket pundits as well as experts have been coming out with their views regarding the dismissal. Brad Hogg, a former Australian spinner, claims that the nation should have withdrawn its appeal of Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal on Day 5 of the second Ashes Test. When wicketkeeper Alex Carey quickly grabbed the ball and under-armed it at the stumps, Bairstow was ruled out of his crease.

Hogg thought the action lacked spontaneity though. The cricketer said that the Australians had correctly identified a recurrent trend in which the wicketkeeper-batter left from the crease following each delivery and it was very well cited by the fielder and also Carey. The debate can be done that whether the dismissal was ethical or not.

“While it is within the laws of the game to consider Bairstow out, the Australians intentionally set up the circumstances. They had discussed this strategy a couple of balls earlier. The umpires were not attentive at the moment the stumps were hit. It is reasonable to consult the third umpire when they miss the action, but neglecting to consult the third umpire to determine whether the umpires had called ‘Over’ was rather unforeseeable. In the spirit of the game, Bairstow should have been given the opportunity to continue”, Brad Hogg said on his Youtube channel.

Brad Hogg also commented on a different social media sensational video. Jonny Bairstow can be seen tossing the ball toward the stumps in order to keep Marnus Labuschagne inside the crease. Brad Hogg criticized the umpires for not being more proactive in managing Jonny Bairstow’s movements after the ball was delivered. He cited instances where umpires unofficially caution bowlers in various scenarios and suggested that the same approach could have been employed with Bairstow to keep him alert.

With England currently trailing 2-0, they are expected to mount strong resistance in the upcoming third Test, scheduled to commence on  July 6 at Headingley.