Jonny Bairstow’s run-out controversy has become one of the most talked-about moments from the game. It has rekindled the ‘spirit of cricket’ debate in the cricketing fraternity, with several cricketers and experts opening up on the controversy. The latest one to join the debate is former England batter Ian Bell, who was once in the same position as Bairstow.
Yes, you read that right. 12 years ago, Ian Bell found himself in the middle of the same situation. The Indian fielders appealed for dismissal after a run-out during the Nottingham Test. The incident occurred just before tea, an Eoin Morgan shot had been stopped short of the boundary line, with everyone assuming that the ball went for a four. Ian walked off with his batting partner, but the ball was thrown back and one of the fielders received the ball and quickly disturbed the stumps.
Ian Bell Shared What He Felt After The Run-Out Incident
While Bell was deemed run-out but over the break, the Indian captain MS Dhoni decided to withdraw the appeal and the former England batter walked back to the pitch.
While speaking to Betfair, Bell recalled the incident and described MS Dhoni’s act as “some gesture”. He revealed:
“I was unbeaten on 137,”
He added: “The slips picked up the helmets and started walking off. The umpires started handing back jumpers. Unfortunately, the ball wasn’t dead. It hadn’t gone for four. A throw came in and with me heading back to the pavilion for Trent Bridge’s finest, the bails were whipped off.”
“Well, I felt sick. Instinctively I knew it was my fault. I wasn’t trying to gain an advantage but I had just switched off.”
Bell On Jonny Bairstow’s Run-Out Controversy
Further, Bell also talked about the Lord’s run-out controversy and said that Jonny Bairstow would have been kicking himself for lack of concentration. He said:
“So first of all, Jonny will know that it’s on him. After all was said and done after defeat on day five he would have gone back to his hotel room, closed the door, looked in the mirror and said to himself: that’s my mistake.
“In the heat of the moment, with the crowd riled and his team-mates angry about what had occurred he may have been feeling aggrieved. But once everything has cooled off, I suspect he will be bitterly disappointed that a moment of poor concentration has been so costly.
“If he had just looked behind, to see what Alex Carey was up to there would’ve been no issue.”
However, Bell also highlighted how Bairstow wasn’t trying to take any advantage. He admitted that Australia’s Lord’s win will be remembered for the wrong reason and not for the amazing game that they played in some tough conditions. He said:
“I have no issue with the decision to give him out though. The rules are clear. It was out. Whether Australia should have withdrawn the appeal is up for debate though.
“What is a shame for the Australians is that this win will be remembered for this incident, rather than the really impressive cricket they played, when conditions were against them for the majority of the time.
“If I was Pat Cummins I would like to think that I would have had the feeling that it would be more trouble than it’s worth and withdrawn the appeal. I’m sure Ben Stokes probably asked him: ‘are you sure you want to go down this route?’.
“Perhaps if Australia knew the reaction they would get he would have said ‘actually, Jonny, that’s just a warning. But next time…’”
