“It’s a lovely line for the narrative,isn’t it? In the end,we’re all going to sit down and have a beer,aren’t we? It was just a little bit of banter at the end there.”

The other Kiwi view

New Zealand cricketers were victims of one of the most flagrant violations of the so-called spirit of cricket when Australian captain Greg Chappell encouraged his brother Trevor Chappell to bowl an underarm delivery at the MCG in 1981 to deprive the Kiwis of a chance to win the game.

Bruce Edgar,who was at the non-striker’s end that day,said there was no comparison between the underarm delivery,which is still shrouded in shame,and the Bairstow dismissal because every young cricketer was taught about the dangers of being stumped.

“It was lazy on his[Bairstow’s] part,” he said.

“You make eye contact with the keeper or fielder then be assured the ball is dead,or wait until the umpire calls over if the last ball.

“This to me isn’t about the spirit,it’s actually written in the rules. As a batsman,I would never,ever take such a treacherous move down the pitch without knowing that the ball wasn’t dead. You’re asking for trouble.”

New Zealand commentator and former wicketkeeper Ian Smith suggested Australia’s ploy could be outside the spirit of the game,but questioned whether that was relevant.

”Whether it’s in the spirit of cricket,perhaps not. But then again,what is the spirit of cricket? I mean,that the game should be played in a gentlemanly way the whole time? I think if that’s the case,that went out the window a long,long time ago,” Smith saidon SENZ.

The keepers’ union

Former Australian gloveman Brad Haddin told the Willow Talk podcast the dismissal was Bairstow’s fault.

“Bairstow has had a brain fade – as simple as that,” Haddin said. “He wasn’t concentrating. Carey picked that up a couple of balls before – that he was wandering out of his crease. And as soon as he got the ball into his gloves,he threw it,and he was lucky enough to hit the stumps and run Bairstow out.

“It was definitely a brain fade from Bairstow. On the letter of the law,he is out.”

Australia endured abuse and boos after the Bairstow dismissal,even from the normally genteel MCC members,but the visitors managed to overcome another historic Stokes innings to win the thrilling Test by 43 runs and go 2-0 up in the series.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has come out in support of the Australian team,while British PM Rishi Sunak has backed the England captain’s complaints about Australia’s behaviour.

The two sides will meet again for the Third Test at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday.

Watch every ball of the 2023 Ashes series live and exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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