Australia won the second Ashes Test at Lord’s by 43 runs on Sunday, despite England captain Ben Stokes’ remarkable century, which was boosted by the contentious dismissal of Jonny Bairstow.
Stokes scored 155 before being removed, leaving England 70 runs short of a lofty target of 371.
England were eventually removed for 327 as holders Australia went 2-0 ahead in the five-match series, aiming for their first away Ashes series triumph in 22 years.
But it was Bairstow’s dismissal shortly before midday on the final day that lighted the blue-touch paper on this match and enraged the typically placid Lord’s crowd.
Bairstow, England’s only specialist batsman, was out for 10 after wandering out of his ground after ducking a Cameron Green bouncer, and quick-thinking wicketkeeper Alex Carey under-armed the ball onto the stumps.
Bairstow believed he had established his position by tapping his bat behind the crease.
Australia captain Pat Cummins had the option of withdrawing the appeal, but the judgment was appealed to third umpire Marais Erasmus, who found Bairstow had been stumped, giving England a 193-6 lead.
An Australia team official later claimed that players were “verbally abused” and “physically contacted” during the lunch break by enraged MCC members in the Lord’s Pavilion.
On 62, an enraged Stokes hit out, and on 77, he smacked a powerful pull back at Cummins, which the fast bowler dropped.
Stokes then hit three sixes off successive deliveries, the second of which was dropped over the boundary by Mitchell Starc, to complete a spectacular 142-ball century.
England were 243-6 at the break, with Stokes on 128 not out.
