Ashes 2023: Rishi Sunak and Australia PM Anthony Albanese involved in fun banter - 'Didn't bring my sandpaper'

Add as a preferred source on Google

UK PM Rishi Sunak and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese were involved in a fun Ashes banter as they met on the lines of the NATO Summit in Lithuania on Tuesday.

It all started when Albanese surprisingly pulled out a printout showing the current 2-1 scoreline of the Ashes 2023 in the favour of Australia. Sunak was quick to pull off pictures of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes hugging each other after guiding England to a 3-wicket victory on Monday.

In response, the Australian PM, also an ardent cricket lover like Sunak, brought out the picture of Jonny Bairstow's controversial stumping during the second Test match at Lord's. Notably, Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey had smartly stumped out Bairstow with an underarm throw as Bairstow walked out of the crease in a carefree manner without the ball being dead.

Reacting to the 'provocation', Sunak fired back saying, "I'm sorry I didn't bring my sandpaper with me," referring to the ball-tampering scandal that involved members of the Australian cricket team back in 2018.

Here's the video of the fun banter between Sunak and Albanese:

England have kept the Ashes 2023 alive by winning the third Test at Headingley in Leeds. The two sides will now lock horns in the fourth Test at the Old Trafford in Manchester from Wednesday, July 19.