Simon Taufel lambasted the “hypocrisy and lack of consistency” shown by some following Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping in the recent Lord’s Test. The former ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel said people cite the ‘spirit of the game’ when they don’t like a dismissal under the laws of cricket.
Bairstow’s controversial stumping in the second Ashes Test has opened a debate with the likes of England coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes saying it was not in the spirit of the game.
“My experience is when people don’t like a dismissal under the Laws of Cricket, they cite the Spirit of Cricket to support their view,” Taufel wrote in a lengthy post on LinkedIn.
“Was Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal at Lord’s a breach of the Spirit of Cricket? Have you seen any umpire tell a fielding side that the keeper standing back is not allowed to attempt a stumping?”
“Was there a complaint from anyone when Bairstow tried to stump Marnus exactly the same way in the first innings? What has Jonny Bairstow said about his dismissal? He has been very quiet. Why?” the Australian added.
After the dismissal, Australia had to endure the crowd’s bitterness for the rest of the match as they were booed and jeered with chants of “same old Aussies, always cheating”.
“The hypocrisy and lack of consistency from some people and groups are quite interesting and concerning for the future of our game. Maybe I am the odd one out here?” Taufel wrote.
The incident had occurred on the final day of play when after ducking a slow bouncer from Cameron Green, Bairstow had immediately left his crease to have a chat with Ben Stokes in the middle, believing that the ball was ‘dead’.
However, wicketkeeper Alex Carey played within the rules and broke the stumps and third umpire Marais Erasmus gave a decision in favour of Australia.
“Should a batter be immune from dismissal as per the Laws by simply being negligent (and leaving his ground too early)?
“Did England retire Ben Duckett when they disagreed with the (Mitchell) Starc catch decision as per the Laws and umpires’ decision?” Taufel said.
