Ex-ICC Elite Umpire Simon Taufel Astounded By "Hypocrisy And Lack Of Consistency" By Some People In Jonny Bairstow Ashes Episode

Lambasting the "hypocrisy and lack of consistency" shown by some following Jonny Bairstow's controversial stumping in the recent Lord's Test, 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?" he 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" reverberating at the Lord's.

Apart from the Prime Ministers of both countries, several former and current players have also expressed their views on the same.

"The hypocrisy and lack of consistency from some people and groups is 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 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