Joe Root expects FIRED-UP Jonny Bairstow to entertain Headingley crowd in 3rd Ashes Test post dismissal row at Lord’s

Though the dismissal was legal, it sparked the controversy surrounding the 'spirit of cricket', leaving the cricket world divided.

Joe Root expects FIRED-UP Jonny Bairstow to entertain Headingley crowd in 3rd Ashes Test post dismissal row at Lord’s

Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow (Images via YouTube, Twitter)

English batter Joe Root called for a calm environment when England will face Australia in the third Ashes Test in his home ground of Headingley. The recently concluded second Ashes Test at the Lord’s on Sunday (July 2) stirred up controversy after Australia keeper Alex Carey underarmed the ball at the stumps to dismiss Jonny Bairstow who left the crease before the ball was declared dead.

This created a hostile environment around the stadium, even a couple of MCC members were hurling heated words at the Aussie players. The Lord’s stadium reverberated with loud jeers thrown at Pat Cummins and Co.

YouTube video

And though the dismissal was legal, it sparked the controversy surrounding the ‘spirit of cricket’, leaving the cricket world divided. Some supporters of the dismissal even dug up a video showing Bairstow trying to dismiss a batter in a similar fashion during the first Test.

Joe Root expects a formidable Bairstow in the third Test. “Jonny thrives off things like this,” Root said (via The Telegraph). “I’m sure he will want to entertain the local crowd. I think it is set up nicely for him, but you have still got to go and do it.”

Related: R Ashwin hits back at senior journalist as latter tried to moral police Indian spinner for supporting Australia over Jonny Bairstow’s controversial runout

All eyes will be on Jonny Bairstow in Headingley

All eyes will be on Jonny Bairstow in Headingley
Jonny Bairstow after dismissal (Image via Twitter)

There have been several occasions when a heated encounter, sledging by the opponent team member, made Jonny Bairstow completely motivated. Last year, Bairstow exchanged heated words with former India captain Virat Kohli during a rescheduled fifth Test in Edgbaston. Kohli had fired up the English batter as a result of which, Bairstow, who was playing a calm innings beforehand, quickly registered his fifth back-to-back half-century before smashing his century.

Meanwhile, Australia won that match by 43 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The third Test will be played from July 6 to 10 at the Headingley Carnegie stadium.

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