Ashes 2023: ICC issues clarification on Jonny Bairstow dismissal; CA, MCC release statement after Lord's Long Room altercation

The Day 5 the second Test in Ashes 2023 at Lord’s brought with it a lot of drama as England resumed their innings on 114/4 with Ben Duckett (50*) and Ben Stokes (29*) at the crease. Australia managed to get the breakthrough and broke the 132-run stand as Josh Hazlewood dismissed Duckett (83) off a bouncer.

Jonny Bairstow walked in at number six and was looking to stitch a crucial stand with Stokes. However, all his hopes were shattered as he got run out in the most bizarre manner possible. During the 52nd over of the England innings, Bairstow the last ball by Cameron Green and started walking outside of his crease to have a chat with Stokes at the other end.

Seeing Bairstow out, Carey threw the ball towards the stumps and managed to get a direct hit. All Australian players immediately went up for the appeal and got the decision in their favour. However, Stokes, Bairstow and the entire Lord’s crowd was not pleased with the dismissal and felt it was against the spirit of the game.

However, the decision was well within the rules as clarified by the International Cricket Council (ICCAccording to law 20.1.2 of the MCC's Laws of Cricket, "the ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play."

In this case, Carey had observed Bairstow walking outside the crease early and was alert to use the opportunity to run him out. Hence, the fielding side considered the ball to still be in play and it wasn’t deemed dead.

David Warner, Usman Khawaja involved in argument with elderly fan in Lord's Long Room

The dismissal led to the temperatures flaring in the middle as Ben Stokes started an all-out attack on Australia with the bat. Australian players David Warner and Usman Khawaja were also confronted for their actions by the MCC members in the Long Room while walking back to the dressing room at lunch. 

An MCC spokesperson said: "The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the Pavilion is very special. After this morning's play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of Members.

"We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian Team and will deal with any Member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes. It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon's session."