Ashes 2023Stumping was as much out as my catch wasn't out, says Mitchell Starc on Jonny Bairstow's dismissal

By India Today Sports DeskAustralia fast-bowler Mitchell Starc has said that England batter Jonny Bairstow’s controversial dismissal was as much out as his catch was not out. Starc took the catch of England opener Ben Duckett on Day 4, which was ruled out after the third umpire felt that Starc was not in complete control of the ball while completing the catch.

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Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Starc said Bairstow’s dismissal on Day 5 was as much out as his catch was not out. Bairstow was stumped in unconventional fashion by Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey to leave England reeling at 193 for 6 while chasing 371 runs on Day 5.

“The stumping was as much out as mine wasn’t out,” said Starc on Bairstow’s bizarre dismissal.

In a strange turn of events, Bairstow lost his wicket on Day 5 after being run-out in the 52nd over. The England wicket-keeping batter ducked a Cameron Green delivery and walked out of the crease thinking the ball was dead and the over was done. However, Carey was active behind the stumps and underarmed the wickets to leave Bairstow bewildered.

Upon further review, the umpire decided to dismiss Bairstow as the ball was not dead. The 33-year-old departed after scoring 10 runs off 22 balls, as England lost their sixth wicket at Lord’s.

Speaking about his disallowed catch on Day 4, Starc said he had control of the ball at all times but according to the letter of the law, it was not out. Starc took Duckett’s catch late on Day 4 but his hands scraped the floor, due to which the third umpire ruled in England’s favour.

“At all times, I thought I had control of the ball. There have been plenty of catches in the past that I think have been very similar and been deemed fair, perhaps not been looked at as closely. To the letter of the law, it’s not out and we move on,” Starc added.

Australia beat England by 43 runs at Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes 2023 series. The two sides will now lock horns at Headingley in Leeds on July 6 for the third match of the series.