Stuart Broad has spoken out on social media following his angry confrontation with the Australia team during day five of the second Test of the Ashes.
The England star was left furious after Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey knocked the bails off Jonny Bairstow's stumps as he left his crease. Bairstow had thought the over was finished, but the umpires had not called it, with the England batter eventually ruled as being out.
It was a highly controversial incident, with the Australian team loudly jeered by the crowd as chants of "same old Aussies, always cheating" rang out around Lord's. Broad was also vocal in his anger at England's opponents.
The Nottinghamshire star replaced Bairstow at the crease and in a conversation picked up by the stump mic, he could be heard telling Carey: "You'll forever be remembered for that." Broad then told Australia captain Pat Cummins: "Literally, that's the worst thing I've ever seen in cricket, that."
The England legend continued to play up to the crowd, frequently checking with Australia that they considered the over to be finished after every time he faced the final ball. And now he has taken to Twitter following the conclusion of the match.
Broad tweeted: "A great Ashes battle. Loved being out there with Ben Stokes in that mood. Some controversial moments that will split opinions, that’s sport. Lord’s as loud & animated as I’ve ever heard it. On to Leeds we go!"
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Australia have withdrawn their appeal for Jonny Bairstow's dismissal? Comment below.
Stokes hit a stunning 155 as he threatened to drag his side to victory virtually on his own, but England eventually lost by 43 runs. And their captain took aim at Australia for failing to withdraw their appeal on Bairstow's dismissal.
"Jonny was in his crease, then out of his crease to come down and have the chat. I am not disputing the fact it is out because it is out. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no," he told the BBC.
"When is it justified that the umpires have called over? Is the on-field umpires making movement... is that enough to call over? I'm not sure. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would have put more pressure on the umpires.
"Asked whether they had called over and had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game and if I would want to do something like that. We beat Pakistan and New Zealand 3-0 [in 2022], so that is how we have to look at it."
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald defended his team's actions, despite them even exchanging words with MCC members in the Long Room. McDonald insisted they had done nothing wrong and that Bairstow had been dismissed fairly.
He said: "There is no doubt that when a player is leaving their crease that you take that opportunity. It got sent upstairs and ultimately the officiating third umpire decided it was out and within the laws of the games. I don't see too many issues with it to be completely honest."
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