Jonny Bairstow’s unusual brain-fade moment during Day 5 of the second Ashes 2023 Test has generated significant buzz within the cricketing community. The incident occurred when the middle-order English batsman, batting at number 10, walked out of his crease after ducking to a short delivery from Cameron Green.
To Bairstow’s astonishment, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey capitalized on the opportunity and dislodged the bails, resulting in Bairstow being given out ‘stumped’. Bairstow’s dismissal meant he had to return to the pavilion, leaving his captain Ben Stokes alone with the tailenders in a daunting chase of 178 runs for an improbable victory.
The incident left English supporters in disbelief, and it also prompted a priceless reaction from former England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, who was present in the Sky Sports commentary box alongside former Australian batsman Mark Taylor.
As Bairstow ducked to Green only to be stumped by Carey, Morgan’s face expressed clear disbelief, while Taylor jubilantly provided live commentary of the unfolding events. Bairstow’s dismissal ignited a fierce onslaught from captain Stokes, who unleashed a barrage of boundaries and sixes against the Australian pace attack. Stokes struck nine boundaries and nine maximums, forming a defiant 108-run partnership with tailender Stuart Broad.
Eoin Morgan's reaction to the Jonny Bairstow stumping 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/9rgdiP0iKX
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 3, 2023
However, Stokes eventually mistimed a shot off Josh Hazlewood when England was within 70 runs of their target. The tailenders were left with a daunting task, and England was eventually bowled out for 327. Australia secured a fitting victory at Lord’s, winning the Test match by 43 runs and taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
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The two teams will now lock horns in the third Ashes 2023 Test at Headingley in Leeds, scheduled to commence on July 6. The upcoming match promises another thrilling encounter as England seeks to bounce back and narrow the series deficit. At the same time, Australia aims to maintain their dominance and inch closer to securing the Ashes urn.
