Cricket

Pat Cummins' pivotal role in the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's, which ignited the 2023 Ashes series, has been revealed in the upcoming documentary series "The Test." The incident, which occurred on the fourth day of the second Test, sparked intense controversy and abuse directed at the Australian team.Cummins, the Australian captain, admitted that he instructed wicketkeeper Alex Carey to throw at the stumps after Bairstow stepped out of his crease. Carey's accurate throw resulted in Bairstow's dismissal, leading to a heated confrontation between the two teams.The documentary reveals the extent of the abuse faced by the Australians, with MCC members in the Long Room verbally attacking them and even physically assaulting David Warner. Carey, in particular, became a target of significant online and social media abuse, prompting the involvement of Australia's cybersecurity police.The incident had a profound impact on Carey's well-being, with his form declining and his place in the ODI side being lost. Teammates expressed concern for his mental health, acknowledging that the abuse he endured was disproportionate and unfair.Despite the controversy, Cummins maintained that the dismissal was legitimate. "It was clear-cut, it was out," he stated. However, the incident highlighted the intense rivalry between England and Australia and the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Ashes cricket.The documentary also delves into Australia's subsequent collapse at Headingley, where they squandered a commanding position. Marnus Labuschagne admitted that his reckless slog sweep against Moeen Ali was a turning point in the match.In the final Test at The Oval, Australia's hopes were raised by a century opening stand between Usman Khawaja and David Warner. However, a ball change by the umpires, which the Australians believed was significantly harder and shinier, halted their momentum.Despite a valiant effort by Steve Smith and Travis Head, England's bowlers ultimately prevailed, securing a series victory. The Australians acknowledged that they could have adapted better to the changed ball conditions but expressed disappointment at the missed opportunity.Overall, the documentary provides an intimate look at the highs and lows of the 2023 Ashes series, highlighting the intense rivalry, controversies, and personal challenges faced by the players.

The SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) faced off in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday, marked by a controversial stumping decision that sparked debate.In the 15th over, SRH batter Travis Head was involved in a close call. Avesh Khan bowled a full delivery outside off, and Head shuffled across to chase the ball. As he lost balance, RR wicketkeeper Sanju Samson threw the ball towards the stumps. Replays showed an ambiguous moment, but TV umpire Rohan Pandit ruled Head not out.The decision drew criticism from RR Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara, who engaged in an animated discussion after the call. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan also expressed his disapproval, calling it a "horrible decision."Despite the controversy, SRH went on to post a competitive total of 201 for three. Head, who was dropped by Riyan Parag in the first over, made the most of his reprieve with a 44-ball 58. Nitish Reddy also contributed with an explosive 76 not out off 42 balls.The duo shared a 96-run stand for the third wicket, while Heinrich Klassen added a quickfire 42 not out off 19 balls to take SRH past the 200-run mark.RR's bowling attack struggled to contain the SRH batters, with Yuzvendra Chahal conceding 62 runs in his four overs. Avesh Khan picked up two wickets, while Sandeep Sharma and R Ashwin claimed one each.In the end, SRH's strong batting performance proved too much for RR, who fell short in their chase. The controversial stumping decision remained a talking point, highlighting the importance of accurate umpiring in high-stakes matches.