3 Times Stuart Broad Made A Mockery Of Spirit Of Cricket: The recently concluded Lord’s Test in the 2023 Ashes series has reignited the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ debate, thanks to the controversial dismissal of England’s Jonny Bairstow. This unexpected turn of events, which saw Bairstow stumped while casually out of his crease, has caused ripples of discontent among England’s cricketers, fans, and pundits. However, before we proceed, let’s take a quick look at three incidents where English cricketer Stuart Broad himself seemed to bend the rules of cricket spirit.
Stuart Broad’s Infamous ‘Not Out’ in the 2013 Ashes Series
Firstly, let’s go back to the 2013 Ashes series during the Trent Bridge Test match. Stuart Broad, known for his aggressive pace bowling, was on the batting end of the pitch. As he edged a ball from Ashton Agar, it deflected off Brad Haddin’s gloves and found its way to Michael Clarke at first slip. While the Australians jubilantly celebrated, Broad didn’t move an inch. Interestingly, umpire Aleem Dar also didn’t think it was out. Although many players walk back upon nicking a delivery behind the stumps, Broad opted to stay put, stirring up a whirlwind of controversy.
In his defence, Stuart Broad remarked, “I wouldn’t change it for anything. I was thinking, ‘We need more runs here, we’re 230 ahead. If I get out, we lose the game.’ So I’m never just going to walk off and accept a loss.”
The Controversial Run-Out in the 2008 England vs New Zealand ODI Series
The second episode takes us to a charged encounter in the 2008 England vs New Zealand ODI series. New Zealand’s Grant Elliott collided with England’s Ryan Sidebottom, causing him to fall and miss his crease. Ian Bell quickly seized this opportunity, throwing the ball to Kevin Pietersen, who took the bails off. Despite being offered the chance to retract the appeal twice, England captain Paul Collingwood stuck to his decision. Despite the controversy, England lost the game by a single wicket.
Deflected Catch Dismissal During the 2022 England vs New Zealand Series
The third incident unfolded during the 2022 series between England and New Zealand. Henry Nicholls attempted to score a boundary off Jack Leach’s delivery but the ball deflected off the bat of non-striker Daryl Mitchell and found its way into the hands of Alex Lees. England’s jubilation led to Nicholls’ dismissal and sparked a flurry of debates on the ‘Spirit of Cricket.’
3 Times Stuart Broad Made A Mockery Of Spirit Of Cricket
These three instances provide ample evidence of England’s players, particularly Stuart Broad, flexing the rules in their favour. This pattern was echoed again in the 2019 World Cup final when Ben Stokes accepted four overthrows after a deflection off his bat against New Zealand. Not to mention, England clinched the World Cup title via a boundary count, a decision that continues to evoke debate.
The ‘Spirit of Cricket’ is a matter of perspective and is subjective to different players, teams, and situations. While the controversy surrounding Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal continues, it is essential to remember that cricket is a sport played and loved for its unpredictability and exciting nuances.
You may also read: Eoin Morgan Reasons Why He Has Not Seen A Series Like The Ashes 2023
