Australian PM Albanese Backs AUS Team over Bairstow Controversy: Anthony Albanese, Australia’s Prime Minister, has backed the Australian cricket team following criticism of Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal in the ENG vs AUS 2nd test at Lord’s on Sunday, stating that both the men’s and women’s teams are “always winning.” Albanese’s comments came just hours after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke out regarding the recent ‘spirit of the game’ controversy.
The tweet from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appears to be in response to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s affirmation of Ben Stokes’ statement that the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow broke the spirit of the game.
The dismissal proved vital in the Aussies’ victory, giving them a 2-0 series lead with three Tests remaining, but it triggered a furious response. An angry audience yelled, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, cheats, cheats, cheats!” Following the stumping, Lord’s members were caught clashing with Australian players, chanting “Same old Aussies, always cheating!”
The dismissal has triggered a rift in the cricketing community as a whole with some fans and pundits arguing that the action was legitimate and shouldn’t raise any issues, while others have said that the way the Australians claimed Bairstow’s wicket went against the spirit of the game.
The official spokesperson for the British Prime Minister, according to an article in The Mirror, had stated: “The Prime Minister agrees with Ben Stokes, who said he simply wouldn’t want to win a game in the manner Australia did.”
In response, on Tuesday, Albanese posted to social media: “I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who have both won their opening two Ashes matches against England. Same old Aussies – always winning!”
“Australia is right behind @ahealy77, @patcummins30, and their teams and look forward to welcoming them home victorious,” he wrote.
The federal sports minister, Anika Wells also added her words backing the National Cricket Team. She wrote, “And just remember Australia bowled England out despite our spinner (the goat) Nathan Lyon being injured.“
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For more details head to ICC’s official website.
