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Ashes 2023 | 'We have three Tests to land some blows and ...': Brendon McCullum On Bairstow's Controversial Run-Out

Vishal Mehra

image-ljmhxuy6Bairstow's run-out sparked a big debate [AP Photo]

In what could change the complexion for the ongoing Ashes 2023 series, England's Test head-coach Brendon McCullum has hinted that their players could skip customary outings post-match with Australia as a fall-out of the Jonathan Bairstow dismissal on Day 5 of the Lord's Test. 

Bairstow was run out by Alex Carey after the wicket-keeper batter walked out of his crease after ducking a Cameron Green delivery. Carey instantaneously under-armed the ball onto the stumps, and ran Bairstow out, much to the shock of England.

However, Australia went on to win the second Test at Lord's by 43 runs, and have taken a 2-0, with the third Test starting on July 6. 

Speaking to BBC, McCullum stated that England are focused on winning the Ashes while keeping intact the spirit of the game.

Here's what McCullum said

“I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer with them any time soon. We have three Tests to land some blows and try to win the Ashes. That is where our focus will be. I was lucky enough to play for a long period of time and you learn over a long period that the game and the spirit of the game is so vital to this great game.

It’s one thing we’ve got that other sports maybe don’t have, and to uphold that is such an important part of it. In the end you’ve got to live with the decisions you make, and that’s life. But I feel from our point of view, if we were in the same situation, we might’ve made a different decision.”

Interestingly, as a keeper McCullum himself has been guilty of running out batters during their celebrations.

While few current and former players have come out in support of Carey, others have called it a violation of the Spirit of the Game.