Ashes 2023: We did nothing wrong – Pat Cummins on Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal

Australian skipper Pat Cummins feels his team did nothing wrong after Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal in the second innings of the second Test match at Lord’s. Cummins said his team’s conduct on the field has been fantastic over the last few years.

Jonny Bairstow prematurely moved out of the crease after ducking on the final ball of the 52nd over, bowled by Cameron Green. Australia’s wicket-keeper Alex Carey was quick to take a shy at the stumps and Bairstow was left flabbergasted when the visitors appealed for stumping.

Australia did everything right by the laws of the game but a lot of cricket experts questioned their sportsmanship spirit following the peculiar dismissal.

“It doesn’t really bother me, to be honest. I think the way our team have conducted themselves over the last couple of years has been flawless,” said Cummins while talking to Sky Sports.

“We have been fantastic and I think that was shown again on day five [at Lord’s].”

“We did nothing wrong, we are all comfortable with that. I don’t think the aim of playing cricket [is to shut up critics].”

Meanwhile, Cummins added he believes in the spirit of the game but feels everyone has a different opinion regarding the game.

“I one hundred percent think the spirit of cricket is a real thing. I think at times that there is nuance to it and everybody might see it a little bit differently, which is fine.”

The gun fast bowler reckons it is crucial to maintain respect for the opposition, the umpire, the fans, and the game.

“I think it is one of the beauties of our sport, it’s a gentleman’s sport and you want to maintain respect at all times for the opposition, the umpire, the fans, the game. It is one of the strengths of our game,” said Cummins.

The third Ashes Test will be played at Leeds, Headingley from Thursday onwards.