When India's Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused to shake hands and end the match as they approached their hundreds, England and captain Ben Stokes' annoyance descended into comedy, and the Australian media showed no mercy. Stokes was termed a "tantrum-thrower" as Australian media criticized the Poms for complaining about the "Spirit of Cricket," exposing England's "moral hypocrisy."
With less than 30 minutes remaining in the game and a draw certain in Manchester, Stokes approached Jadeja and Sundar to shake hands and call it off. However, the two Indian batsmen refused the gesture, as their disobedience had already cost England a probable victory. Both Sundar and Jadeja, who were in their 80s and 90s, were eager to reach their well-earned hundreds.
Stokes was clearly upset over the rejection. In a simulated protest, he threw the ball to part-timer Harry Brook in addition to verbally attacking the pair. Then, as England's annoyance bubbled over, Brook bowled deliveries that were hilariously slow—one of which was only 37 kmph.
With Sundar recording his first century and Jadeja getting his fifth Test century, India, undeterred, finished the formalities in just fifteen minutes. The visitors set up a thrilling final at The Oval by forcing a draw and keeping the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy alive.
Ben Stokes and England were not spared by the Australian media, who took aim at their emotional response during the last hour at Old Trafford, which diverted focus from India's incredible batting performance.
Fox Cricket attacked with the headline, “Spirit… of what? How pompous England exposed Bazball’s great double standard.” The piece criticized the moral pretension of England:
"England bang on about the Laws of the Game, as written by the MCC at Lord’s. But when opposition teams follow those laws to England’s disadvantage? Time to awaken the ‘Spirit’ again. Give it a prod. Shake some sense into them. Play fair, old boy!"
Brisbane Times ran a scathing piece titled “Spare us the whining, England. The only thing embarrassing about Old Trafford was your tantrum.” Even Steve Smith found it ironic that England, the self-declared saviors of Test cricket, now seem more concerned with outcomes than entertaining.
"The contradictions are piling up," it added, highlighting how England's own actions are undermining Bazball's ideals.
Herald Sun, in its strongly-worded editorial “England’s appalling display mars absolute Test classic,” criticized the English team's "unsportsmanlike" behavior and their failure to recognize Jadeja and Sundar's efforts to save the game.
Going one step further, Code Sports said that England was experiencing an "identity crisis on the eve of the Ashes tour." The article, titled “Moral hypocrites England decide tons are anti-cricket,” made fun of England's rage that Jadeja and Sundar had the audacity to refuse them a handshake and pursue personal goals instead.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
