Pat Cummins’ awkward reaction when told how Ben Stokes would have responded to ‘cheat’ storm after controversial Ashes
PAT CUMMINS gave an awkward reaction when told how Ben Stokes would have responded to Sunday’s Ashes “cheat” storm.
England crashed to defeat on the final day of the Second Test, with Australia now on the brink of retaining the famous trophy yet again.
Ben Stokes put up a knock of 155 to boost his side’s hopes at Lord’s.
But the game was overshadowed by controversy after Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped by wicket keeper Alex Carey.
Lord’s members scrapped with “cheating” Aussies after the unsporting incident.
And even Piers Morgan waded in, branding Carey and teammates “pathetic.”
England captain Stokes has since said he would never have claimed the wicket, explaining: “Jonny was in his crease, the out of his crease to come down and have the chat.
“I’m not disputing the fact that it is out because it is out. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no.
“When is it justified that the umpires have called over? Is the on-field umpires making movement, is that enough to call over? I’m not sure.
“If the shoe was on the other foot I would have put more pressure on the umpires and asked whether they had called over.
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“And I’d have had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game and would I want to do something like that.”
Stokes’ words were put to Aussie counterpart Cummins, who gave a less-than-convincing one-word response.
The captain from Down Under looked awkward as he bluntly replied: “Ok.”
When pushed for more words, Cummins said: “[It was] fair play. That is the rules. That is how I saw it.
[Bad blood?] Not from our team, you might have to ask them. It was a wonderful contest, it’s been a great Ashes series so far.”
Meanwhile, England boss Brendon McCullum admitted were unlikely to “have a beer” with the Australian team in the near future.
He added: “I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer with them any time soon.
“We have three Tests to land some blows and try and win the Ashes. That’s where our focus will be.”