The British and Australian Prime Ministers showed no sign of leaving their Ashes rivalry behind when they met at the Nato summit.
Anthony Albanese said he had something “really provocative” to give Rishi Sunak when they crossed paths in Vilnius, Lithuania on Tuesday.
The Australian leader presented the PM with a print out of the current score in the cricket test series, in which Australia are leading England 2-1.
He also produced a glossy photo of Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping in the second Ashes clash at Lord’s.
The British PM in turn whipped out a photo of batsmen Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, who got the final runs in England’s victory at Headingley on Sunday.
Mr Sunak also quipped: “I’m sorry I didn’t bring my sandpaper with me,” in reference to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal involving members of the Australian team.
The exchange was not planned and was “friendly banter” between the two leaders, a Government source said.
Mr Albanese last week backed his country’s cricket team after Bairstow was stumped when he left his position in the second test, apparently thinking the over had ended.
But Mr Sunak agreed with England captain Ben Stokes’ claim that Australia “broke the spirit of cricket” in taking the contentious wicket.
Australia went on to win the Ashes match in ill-tempered scenes at Lord’s.
