Ashes 2023: "I Think Australia Were Desperate For A Wicket" - Kris Srikkanth On Jonny Bairstow’s Controversial Dismissal

Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth shared his thoughts on the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow during the second Test of the Ashes series. Kris Srikkanth believes that Australia would have lost the match if Jonny Bairstow had not been dismissed in such a controversial fashion.

On Day 5 of the second Test at Lord’s, Jonny Bairstow left the crease after playing a delivery from Cameron Green. Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey quickly reacted and dislodged the bails. The appeal was referred to the third umpire Marais Erasmus, who made the decision in favor of the visitors.

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I Looked Like A Fool – Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth recalled an incident from his Test debut match against England in Bombay in November 1981, where he was dismissed in a similar manner.

“In my case, it was my debut Test. Batting on 13, I defended the ball towards gully, where John Emburey (former England off-spinner) was fielding,” Kris Srikkanth said.

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“Now, I had this really bad habit of loitering, or sauntering outside the crease after playing the ball. Emburey, who was initially about to throw the ball to the covers or the bowler — I think it was Bob Willis — instead picked up the ball and threw down the stumps (at the striker’s end), and I was stranded outside my crease. I looked like a fool,” he added.

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There Is A Question Of The Spirit Of The Game – Kris Srikkanth

The former Indian Chief Selector stated that the similar dismissals were not against the spirit of cricket.

“I felt it was very foolish of me to have done that. At the end of the day, it was my fault. I don’t think there is a question of the spirit of the game there. Walking back, I felt I was so stupid. I didn’t know how to face my teammates in the dressing room,” Srikkanth further stated.

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“Even today, I feel it was my mistake. I was out. Emburey was within the rules. Similarly, it seems that Carey was within the rules. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been out. You have given an opportunity to the opposition to get you out, and they’ve grabbed it,” he concluded.

Australia Would Have Lost The Test – Kris Srikkanth

Srikkanth believes that Alex Carey would have noticed Bairstow regularly leaving the crease and planned the dismissal as they were desperate for the wicket.

“What must’ve happened (in the second Ashes Test) is that the Aussies must have watched Bairstow leave his crease quite regularly. That’s my assumption. This must have been a planned dismissal. They must have been watching him for quite some time. I think Australia were desperate for a wicket.”

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“With Ben Stokes and Bairstow smashing the ball like they were doing, Australia would have lost the Test,” he concluded.

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