Cricket Australia has defended their use of Jonny Bairstow’s infamous stumping by Alex Carey during the 2023 Ashes, after being criticised by a Barmy Army leader.
The notorious moment, where Carey threw down the stumps with Bairstow walking out of his crease on Day 5 of the second Test at Lord’s, proved one of the most controversial in Ashes history, and a key flashpoint in the 2-2 drawn series that saw Australia retain the urn.
Naturally, CA, in hyping the 2025/26 Ashes, had the moment front and centre, with the scene featured in an ad for the series to the tune of Hunters and Collectors‘ iconic Australian song ‘Do You See What I See?’
“It’s the chaos,” Carey quips.
Reaction to the stumping has typically been divided across country lines, with English fans – and several players – adamant it was against the spirit of the game, while Australians are equally certain it was a valid dismissal under the laws of the game.
The English still seem to view the incident as a sore point, though, if the reaction from Tony Emmerson, the head of the Melbourne and Sydney groups of the Barmy Army, the iconic England touring supporters’ group, to its use in the CA ad is anything to go by.
“I just think it’s not very creative,” Emmerson told The Age.
“I’m sure they could’ve come up with something a little bit more creative or thought-provoking. It goes to the creativity the Australians put into writing their songs – ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!’”
However, Emmerson added that he believes England supporters have ‘gotten over’ the stumping.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is a level of spirit of cricket and the rules of cricket, and the rules of cricket win the day,” he said.
“I think we’ve gotten over it … the biggest disappointment was England was going to win the Test match – that was the most annoying thing about it.
Jonny Bairstow looks frustrated after being dismissed by Alex Carey. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
“Most English people have gotten over it. I don’t think they boo Carey any more. They’re fair-minded. The guy’s wicketkeeping last Test match was superb. “
They’re big enough to recognise that, and they understand cricket well enough to see someone who has done well.”
In response, a CA spokesperson defended the ad, telling The Age it was done ‘in a respectful manner’.
“The advertisement, which has run on various platforms for three months, includes, in a respectful manner, a dramatic and oft-replayed moment that exemplifies the heightened intensity of the Ashes rivalry,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re really pleased with the response to our Ashes marketing campaign, which has contributed strongly to the enormous crowds and viewing audiences for the series.”
England, meanwhile, appear on course for a fourth consecutive disastrous tour of Australia, having failed to win a Test down under since early 2011.
They trail the five-match series 2-0, with the third Test beginning in Adelaide on Wednesday.