Australian coach Andrew McDonald is “disappointed” with the reaction from his England counterpart following the controversial Lord’s run-out of Jonny Bairstow which has sent Ashes relations into freefall.
After an extraordinary final day where the catalyst for the wild scenes was Australian keeper Alex Carey’s stumping of Bairstow, England coach Brendon McCullum said he strongly disagreed with the Australian side’s approach.
“I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer with them any time soon,” McCullum said after the Australians took a 2-0 series lead at Lord’s.
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It’s created a renewed sense of hostility in the series which is sure to follow both teams to the third Test at Headingley which starts on Thursday.
McDonald said he was hearing the comments for the first time when he fronted the press on Monday and had not spoken to McCullum after the game.
“I’ve heard that comment for the first time, and I’m somewhat disappointed by that,” McDonald said.
The Australian coach said Bairstow’s dismissal as he strolled out of his crease was the simple execution of a plan and did not contravene the spirit of cricket.
“There’s no doubt when a player is leaving their crease or leaving their ground at certain periods of time that you take that opportunity,” he said.
“I think (captain Pat Cummins) relayed that there was some conversation around Jonny leaving the crease and Alex Carey took that opportunity – the ball’s still live in our minds.
“It got sent upstairs and ultimately, the officiating third umpire decides it’s out, it’s within the laws of the game. I don’t see too many issues with it, to be perfectly honest.”
McDonald said he was not bothered by the external reaction to the wicket, saying there are many moments in cricket that “polarise opinion”.
“We saw it on Day 4 with the (Mitchell Starc) catch as well,” he said.
“Some people thought it was out, some people thought it was not out.
“These types of events are interpreted as part of the laws … and sometimes not everyone agrees with it.”