Bairstow dismissal: Like John Emburey, Alex Carey was within the rules, says Kris Srikkanth | Cricket News – Times of India

MUMBAI: Although he didn’t watch the action on a rivetting fifth day of the second Ashes Test, the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey saw former India captain and opener Kris Srikkanth’s inbox flooded with messages from friends.
It took Srikkanth back 41 years, when a similar incident ruined his Test debut, against England in Bombay in November 1981.
“In my case, it was my debut Test. Batting on 13, I defended the ball towards gully, where John Emburey (former England off-spinner) was fielding. “Now, I had this really bad habit of loitering, or sauntering outside the crease after playing the ball. Emburey, who was initially about to throw the ball to the covers or the bowler — I think it was Bob Willis — instead picked up the ball and threw down the stumps (at the striker’s end), and I was stranded outside my crease. I looked like a fool.”

“I felt it was very foolish of me to have done that. At the end of the day, it was my fault. I don’t think there is a question of the spirit of the game there. Walking back, I felt I was so stupid. I didn’t know how to face my teammates in the dressing room,” Srikkanth told TOI.
“Even today, I feel it was my mistake. I was out. Emburey was within the rules. Similarly, it seems that Carey was within the rules. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been out. You have given an opportunity to the opposition to get you out, and they’ve grabbed it,” he added.

“What must’ve happened (in the second Ashes Test) is that the Aussies must have watched Bairstow leave his crease quite regularly. That’s my assumption. This must have been a planned dismissal. They must have been watching him for quite some time. I think Australia were desperate for a wicket.
“With Ben Stokes and Bairstow smashing the ball like they were doing, Australia would have lost the Test,” Srikkanth said.

Perhaps a warning from the Aussies to Bairstow could have saved the situation from getting worse?
“I don’t think me or Bairstow deserved a warning. Talking about a run-out at the non-striker’s end, a bowler must give a warning, like (West Indies great) Courtney Walsh did against Pakistan in the 1987 World Cup, even with West Indies’ semifinal qualification chances on the line,” said the 43-Test veteran.