5 Most Controversial Moments in Ashes – From Bodyline to Bairstow

As you know, cricket is a ‘gentleman’s game’. But there have been some cricket matches where things weren’t gentle.

The Ashes have seen a fair share of ‘not so gentle’ moments. And what’s an Ashes without a bit of controversy or drama?

The intense Test matches between Australia and England mean there’s always a heated atmosphere on the field. And things can become ugly in no time.

So here we’ll go through the five most controversial moments in Ashes history.

5. Bairstow’s Careless Stroll Results in Stumping

This one’s a bit fresh. The entire 2023 Ashes revolved around Jonny Bairstow’s controversial stumping.

It was the second innings of the Lord’s Test. Cameron Green bowled a bouncer on the last ball of the 52nd over. Bairstow ducked the ball and left his crease.

Alex Carey then collected the ball behind and hit the stumps, effectively stumping Bairstow. The Aussies started celebrating immediately. But Bairstow? He looked completely puzzled.

Bairstow thought the ball was dead, and so he walked out. But it wasn’t. And the third umpire ruled in favour of Australia’s appeal, even though there was no attempt made for a run.

The home fans immediately started booing. Some even called it against the ‘Spirit of Cricket’, even though the dismissal was legal!

4. Broad Nicks the Ball, But Refuses to Walk

While Bairstow’s careless stroll cost him a stumping, Stuart Broad didn’t even walk after nicking the ball. This incident dates back to the 2013 Nottingham Test.

Broad edged Ashton Agar’s delivery to the slip. Michael Clarke held on to the catch. And the Aussies half-celebrated and appealed.

But neither the on-field umpire, Aleem Dar, raised his finger, nor did Broad walk away even though there was a clear edge. Dar’s decision and Broad’s refusal to walk back left the Australians stunned.

And the worst part? Australia couldn’t review the decision, as they had used up all their DRS reviews.

Many thought Broad’s action was against the ‘Spirit of Cricket’. Some even called for his suspension for his refusal to walk.

3. When Sledging Went Too Far

Sledging is quite common in cricket. Although it has been reduced to some extent of late, there’s no harm intended in it. It’s just a way of distracting a player through harmless insults.

But things went south in the 2013 Brisbane Test. Australia were a wicket away from a big win. Anderson was the last man in.

Since Australia’s win was almost confirmed, there was perhaps no need for sledging. But George Bailey kept chirping in Anderson’s ear while fielding at short leg.

Anderson, by all means, was irritated. So he complained to the on-field umpires. 

Now things should’ve calmed down. But the stump mic picked up an offensive comment made by Michael Clarke towards James Anderson. Clarke told Anderson to “get ready for a broken fu****g arm”! It was no less than a threat.

While Australia won the match a couple of overs later, the incident left a sour taste in everyone’s mind. Clarke later accepted his language was harsh. But it was too late, as the ICC fined him 20 per cent of his match fees.

2. Lillee Walks Out with an Aluminium Bat

As you know, cricket bats are made of willow. But in the 1979 Perth Test, Dennis Lillee walked out with an aluminium bat. Aluminium bat? Yes, you read that right! 

Back then, the ICC did not have regulations around cricket bats. So Lillee used the loophole in the rules to play with an aluminium bat.

Lillee got the aluminium bat from a manufacturing company owned by his friend. No one had thought of using an aluminium bat before, let alone a metal bat. But Lillee made a unique case. 

He played four balls with the aluminium bat. But an unusual noise after he struck the ball left everyone confused. And why wouldn’t they? No one had heard the weird sound off the aluminium bat.

England’s players complained about Lillee’s metal bat. After all, it was damaging the ball.

So the umpires asked him to change the bat. But Lillee stayed put.

Australia’s captain, Greg Chappell, somehow convinced him to change the bat. Lillee had no choice but to play with a wooden bat. 

He furiously threw the aluminium bat towards the boundary and played the rest of the innings with a wooden bat!

1. The Bodyline Saga

Don Bradman was at the peak of his form going into the 1932/33 Ashes. So England needed a strong strategy to counter him.

And what did they come up with? The infamous bodyline tactics.

England’s captain, Douglas Jardine, asked his bowlers to bowl short-pitched deliveries. Back then, there was no limit on the number of bouncers bowled. So, England’s bowlers had a free pass.

The deliveries rose towards the upper body of the Australian batters. Playing such deliveries was slightly awkward. 

Australians had no other option but to defend. And these defensive shots created catching opportunities on the leg side. So, Jardine kept a packed leg-side field. (Check how many fielders are allowed on the leg side here.)

In doing so, a couple of Australians suffered brutal injuries. The tactic was so brutal it had an effect on the diplomatic relations between Australia and England!

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