Ashes 2021-22: Three spectators evicted from SCG for abusing Bairstow-Stokes

Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes put up a batting exhibition on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. England were tottering at 36/4 after Australia declared at 416/8 while batting first. Just when Australia’s win looked inevitable, Stokes and Bairstow led England’s fightback with a 128-run stand for the fifth wicket.

While the duo received tons of praise for their efforts, some disgruntled fans at the view made nasty comments against them. Both cricketers were body-shamed and even got engaged in a verbal spat with those spectators. It all happened when Stokes and Bairstow were heading towards the England dressing room after a hard-fought second session on Day 3. While most fans were applauding their efforts, some fans made disrespectful comments against them.

Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes body-shamed at SCG

“Stokes, you’re fat,” a fan said. “Take your jumper off, Bairstow, lose some weight Bairstow,” the England player was told. While Stokes ignored the abuse directed at him, he reacted when his teammate was targeted. He angrily stared the spectator before Bairstow said: “Pal, That’s right. Just turn around and walk away. Weak as piss.”

Security evicted three spectators from the ground following the ugly episode. Notably, Bairstow went onto smash a remarkable hundred in the third session and he wished the abusers were still there when he walked off the SCG in triumph.

“It would be nicer if they were there giving it when we walked off at the end, wouldn’t it? But unfortunately, they weren’t there at the end and they missed the end of a fantastic day’s Test cricket” Bairstow was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Bairstow also said fans should be responsible for what they say. “It was just a bit of bad-mouthing from the crowd and obviously it’s not the greatest and it’s not needed. We’re out there trying to do our jobs. People are out there, enjoying the day’s cricket and unfortunately, sometimes you have people overstep the mark,” he asserted.

Notably, SCG is the same venue where Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj faced racial abuse last year. Cricket Australia later conducted an investigation into the episode. Hence, it remains to be seen if the cricket body will get involved in this episode or not.