Ashes 2023: Gautam Gambhir tears into 'sledgers' Australia, questions their 'Spirit of Cricket' logic

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Gautam Gambhir has slammed Australia and bluntly called them 'sledgers' following the controversial run out dismissal of England batter Jonny Bairstow. On the final day of the Ashes 2023 second Test match at the Lord's in London, Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey dislodged the stumps after Bairstow casually walked outside the crease after letting go of a short delivery from Cameron Green.

Usually batters check with the keeper or players in the slip cordon to ensure the ball is dead. However, he brain fade moment from Bairstow on the final delivery of the 52nd over saw him just walk outside the crease almost instantly after leaving the short delivery from Green.

Carey showed great presence of mind and rolled an underarm throw to dismantle the stumps. With Bairstow nowhere to be seen in the frame, the umpire accepted the appeal from Australians and raised his fingers to signal Bairstow out.

The incident quite naturally started another round of 'Spirit of Cricket' debate. The England fans at Lord's booed Australian players and later three MCC members were suspended for their "aggressive and abusive" behaviour towards the visitors in the Lord's Long Room during the lunch break on Sunday.

Gambhir slams 'Sledgers' Australia

Australia players and their fans, however, have defended the mode of dismissal, saying that they were well within their rights to appeal as the ball was not dead and still in play.

"I thought it was fair," Australia captain Pat Cummins said after the match.

The entire turn of events irked former India opener Gautam Gambhir who took to Twitter to remind Australia of their double-standards. He called them 'sledgers' before questioning if the 'spirit of the game' logic applied only to India.

Notably, Australia have for long advocated the 'Spirit of Cricket'. They had heavily criticised Ravichandran Ashwin for running out Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end in the IPL. Australia have also been very vocal on India players sledging back Australian players. Recently, former Australia cricketers raised a lot of questions on the quality of pitches in India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and accused the hosts of unfair play.

"Hey sledgers….does spirit of the game logic apply to u or is it just for Indians?" Gambhir has tweeted.

The third Ashes 2023 Test between England and Australia will kick off from Thursday, July 6.