Cummins nails salty English journalist with perfect one-liner

Because the cricket world continues to lose its thoughts over the Jonny Bairstow stumping, the Aussies are seemingly revelling in being public enemies No. 1 by way of 11 in England.

The world erupted when Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey threw the ball at Bairstow’s stumps because the England keeper wandered aimlessly down the pitch — solely to be shocked when he was dismissed.

Whereas even probably the most ardent critic needed to admit it was inside the guidelines, the decision quickly grew to become all in regards to the “Spirit of Cricket”.

At the very best of occasions, the “Spirit of Cricket” has turn out to be a wishy-washy time period that’s utilized in any controversial second, even when it’s inside the guidelines, as a approach to justify getting fired up.

So when Pat Cummins confronted the music of the livid English press after the match, the Aussie skipper appeared to have enjoyable trolling the hosts.

One journalist, seemingly making an attempt to entice Cummins, requested: “Pat, is there such a factor, or do you imagine in such a factor as Spirit of Cricket?”

Cummins shortly replied: “Yep.”

It was adopted up with: “Do you assume that after Bairstow’s dismissal right now, which was inside the letter of the Legislation — no disputing that — however are we at risk of seeing Mankads or underarm bowling in a while this sequence?”

The query was described by some as “impolite” and a “ridiculous cop out”, however Cummins broke the strain within the room along with his response and a smile.

“Ah. I imply, relies upon how flat the wickets get. It is perhaps an possibility to show to,” he stated because the assembled media erupted in laughter.

Imaginative and prescient of the trade went viral on Monday, main one individual to say it was “Cummins 1-0 Reporter”.

It led to the journalist in query figuring out himself earlier than making an attempt to take one other shot at Australian cricket.

“Nah mate – I requested the query,” Every day Mirror sports activities author Mike Walter tweeted. “However I’ve by no means used sandpaper to alter a ball’s situation and by no means bowled underarm alongside the ground with six wanted off the final ball.

“Cummins answered query in good humour – truthful play – however the stains on Australia’s status stay.”

Whereas the mankad, or working out the non-striker, has been officially legal since March 2022it’s nonetheless a controversial dismissal method.

And for the report, underarm bowling remains to be authorized in cricket.

Underneath legislation 21.1.2 of The Legal guidelines of Cricket “Underarm bowling shall not be permitted besides by particular settlement earlier than the match.”

So any underarm bowling will depend upon England.

However when Cummins was questioned in regards to the Bairstow wicket, the Aussie captain stated he was positive with the choice, regardless of the firestorm it unleashed.

“I assumed it was truthful,” he stated.

“You already know, you see Jonny do it on a regular basis. He did it day one to Davey Warner, he did it in 2019 to Steve (Smith), it’s a very frequent factor for keepers to do in the event that they see a batter hold leaving their crease, so (Carey), full credit score to him, noticed the chance. I believe Jonny did it a number of balls beforehand, (Carey) rolled it on the stumps, Jonny left his crease. You allow the remainder to the umpires.”

In actual fact if we’re speaking “Spirit of Cricket”, it’s truly the preamble to the legal guidelines, which begins:

“Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket.

“Respect your captain, teammates, opponents and the authority of the umpires.

“Play arduous and play truthful. Settle for the umpire’s choice.”