Spirit of Cricket is something which the England experts bring into discussion whenever someone plays by the rules and gets the better of English players. In the IPL a few years ago, when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler via a run-out at the non-striker’s end, the entire English cricketing community criticized the Indian off-spinner for his actions.
In the ongoing Ashes 2023 series, captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum said that they would have withdrawn the appeal had the England team executed a stumping like Alex Carey did against Jonny Bairstow in the Lord’s Test.
While England have also blamed others for the Spirit of Cricket rule, here’s a list of five such instances when England did not utter a word when the rules favored them.
1. Ben Stokes’ dive helps England score 6 runs
I am not disputing the fact that it was a boundary through overthrow. Would I want to win like that? #BenStokes #Ashes23 #Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS #EnglandCricket #Cricket #CricketTwitter @cricketaakash @dhotedhulwate pic.twitter.com/ylcSWSqvn7
— Cricket +Ve_Arjav (@IamArjav) July 3, 2023
On the fourth ball of the 50th over in CWC 2019 Final, Ben Stokes executed a dive while completing a run. The throw came in and deflected off Stokes towards the boundary line. England did not say a word and accepted six runs because it was a WC Final.
2. England take World Cup home although Spirit of Cricket said it should have been shared
Why is it outrageous!? When England can win the World Cup by boundary count, Alex Carey can run Jonny Bairstow out when he isn't in the Crease. It's as simple as that!! #AUSvENG #ENGvAUS #Ashes2023
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) July 2, 2023
Both England and New Zealand scored 241 runs in 50 overs. In the Super Over, both scored 15 runs. Still, England accepted the World Cup trophy because they scored more boundaries. If it was in the spirit of the game, both teams should have shared the trophy.
3. Stuart Broad destroys Spirit of Cricket
Stuart Broad to Alex Carey: "You'll forever be remembered for that."
— Basil (@BasilZoccali) July 2, 2023
Also, Stuart Broad: #Ashes pic.twitter.com/laxdRKlkH4
Stuart Broad once edged a delivery off Ashton Agar’s bowling and was caught at slips at Trent Bridge in Ashes 2013. However, since the umpire said not out, Broad did not walk back to the dressing room.
4. England take advantage of Grant Elliott’s fall
Reminds me of Collingwood vs NZ incident where he was called back by Vettori for a Bairstow-like dismissal.
— Transponster Jay (@Jay_KD77) July 3, 2023
Interestingly a few yrs ago, Grant Elliott had collided with an ENG bowler, got run out, and Collingwood DIDN'T withdraw the appeal
Can't blame u Stokes. It's in ur genes pic.twitter.com/AdPPUoBl0i
During an ODI between England and New Zealand in 2008, Grant Elliott clashed with Ryan Sidebottom while taking a run. England’s team shockingly decided to take advantage of it and run out Elliott. New Zealand won that game by 1 wicket in the end.
5. Jonny Bairstow waits for batter to go out of his crease
"It's very very smart from Jonny Bairstow"
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) July 4, 2023
"Brilliant work by Jonny Bairstow, a wicket out of absolutely nothing there"
"a lot of credit to Jonny Bairstow for realizing the moment"#TheAshes pic.twitter.com/OXnt6mCJfG
During a county cricket match, wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow collected the ball behind the stumps. He waited for the batter to go out and then he dislodged the bails to claim a stumping wicket.
