‘Jonny will hate me saying this’: Poms admit Ashes stumping was fair amid wandering Bairstow call

Former England captain Joe Root has declared he “very easily” could have stumped a player the same way Australia controversially dismissed Jonny Bairstow in last year’s Ashes series.

A year on from one of the legendary rivalry’s most infamous moments, when Bairstow walked from his crease too early and was run out by Aussie keeper Alex Carey, England has released a documentary about the series.

The English were furious about the decision at the time, revving up their crowds into a frenzy over Australia’s alleged lack of sportsmanship, but it is now clear they understand the stumping was legitimate.

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In the documentary released by the ECB, Bairstow’s teammate Moeen Ali comments on Bairstow’s habit of walking out of his crease too early, while Root declares if Bairstow simply had stayed in his crease it never would have happened.

“Initially I was quite angry, but I think when you’re involved in the game it’s very difficult to put yourself in the other position,” Root said.

“So I’d like to say I would have dealt with it differently, but I could very easily have done the same thing.

“At the end of the day, it’s within the laws of the game. You should be aware as a player. Jonny will hate me saying this, but if you stay in your crease you can’t get given out can you?”

The documentary shows footage of Bairstow addressing his team on night four of the Lord’s Test, when he was next in with the hosts chasing 371 to win.

“Look I can’t wait for tomorrow,” Bairstow said.

“We’ve been a part of some special things over the last 18 months. And for me, it just feels like it could potentially be one of those amazing days, and someone just stand up and put their name on the board, make a contribution, stick your chest out, front up and we’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile Moeen comments: “I always felt Jonny leaves his crease so early, he leaves the ball and just walks straight down, and I always felt he leaves early,”

Bairstow was dropped for England’s next Test series against the West Indies with the struggling batter’s future in the side in doubt.