The Test: How Aussies reacted to Jonny Bairstow stumping aftermath in last year’s Ashes
New footage has revealed the Australian team’s immediate reaction to the hostility from fans in the Long Room at Lord’s during last year’s controversial Ashes series, including players labelling unruly spectators “f---ing idiots”.
Tensions in the Aussies’ Second Test clash with England reached boiling point off the back of Alex Carey’s divisive stumping of Jonny Bairstow last July, with players from both sides exchanging words with one another before the tourists copped abuse from some members while walking back into the rooms at the lunch break.
The players’ real-time reaction is laid bare in the latest series of Prime Video’s The Test, which is due to hit screens later this week.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It includes Aussie skipper Pat Cummins explaining to coach Andrew McDonald his on-field clash with England paceman Stuart Broad, which helped light the fuse for some of the heated reactions in the crowd.
“Broad said something like, ‘unfortunately mate, that’s what you’re going to be remembered for… I can’t believe you’ve done that’,” Cummins said.
“And I’m like, ‘Oh Broady, you’re such an upstanding citizen mate, aren’t you?’”
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne described one spectator in the Long Room as “foaming at the mouth”, while saying another “kicked ‘Bull’ (David Warner) as he went up the stairs”.
Reserve opener Marcus Harris said he snapped back at some England fans at the home of cricket as players defended Carey’s actions as fair game.
“They were kicking off, over the fence,” Harris said.
“I was like, ‘you write the rules, you f---ing idiots. It’s not our fault’.”
One Marylebone Cricket Club member was ultimately expelled and two others handed suspensions for their behaviour.
Labuschagne said the incident had led to frosty scenes between Aussie and English players while consuming lunch together during the break in play.
“Jonny came in hot. He was like, ‘are you guys happy with that?’” Labuschagne laughed.
“Davey (Warner) is, like, mid (eating a) chicken thing, and he just stops and takes it out and goes ‘yeah, very’.
“It was freakin’ priceless.”
The new season of The Test airs on Prime Video from May 24.
