Australia England Ashes: Anthony Albanese responds to criticism from UK, Rishi Sunak

Anthony Albanese has waded into the controversy surrounding Australia’s Ashes win after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak slammed the Aussie team.

The Australian PM used the words of England fans against them in a tweet on Tuesday morning, and said he is ‘looking forward to welcoming’ captain Pat Cummins ‘home victorious’.

‘Same old Aussies – always winning,’ Mr Albanese said, referring to the chants of ‘same old Aussies, always cheating’ which echoed around the ground after the visitor’s controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow in the second Ashes test.

Bairstow walked from his crease to speak to Ben Stokes believing the over was finished when Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey hurled the ball at his stumps and he was given out, setting up the Australian win and sparking outrage in the UK.

‘Australia is right behind Alyssa Healy, Pat Cummins and their teams… I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who have both won their opening two #Ashes matches against England,’ Mr Albanese tweeted.

Anthony Albanese has backed Australia’s Ashes win by turning the words of England fans against them – despite mounting backlash from players and UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak

Pictured: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) during a backyard cricket match raising funds for Ronald McDonald House in October 2022

Earlier, Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said the PM agreed with criticism of the Australian team that their actions were not in keeping with spirit of cricket.

‘The PM agrees with Ben Stokes who said he simply wouldn’t want to win a game in the manner Australia did,’ he added.

But Downing Street played down the prospect of Mr Sunak raising the row when he next speaks to Mr Albanese.

‘I think the public would want the PM to focus on core issues of the UK-Australia relationship and whilst there’s always going to be a friendly rivalry I think there’ll be focused on more core issues,’ the spokesman said.

Mr Albanese’s comments attracted praise and criticism in equal parts, with fans of the Australian team’s conduct commending the PM for supporting his troops.

The Australian PM said he is ‘looking forward to welcoming’ captain Pat Cummins and his team ‘home victorious’ after the scrappy win

Sunday’s win sparked mass backlash in the UK after Jonny Bairstow walked from his crease to speak to Ben Stokes believing the over was finished. But wicketkeeper Alex Carey hurled the ball at his stumps and he was given out

Alex Carey of Australia stumps Jonny Bairstow of England in a dismissal considered not in the spirit of the game

‘This may be the best thing you ever tweeted,’ one said, while another wrote ‘more of a reason for Australia becoming a Republic, cutting ties with losers. Bad ones at that.

‘I’m an England supporter but this is much ado about nothing. He’s out, get back to the cricket.’ 

But critics said Mr Albanese should not be supporting a ‘men’s team that cheats’, urging him not to ‘condone such unsportsmanlike behavior’.

The manner of the Australian team’s victory sparked angry scenes at the Maryleborne Cricket Club in London on Sunday.

Three members of the MCC, which includes some of the richest and most powerful people in Britain, have been suspended after several Australian players were ‘verbally abused’ or ‘physically contacted’.

Defeated England captain Ben Stokes said: ‘Would I want to win a game in that manner? No. If the shoe was on the other foot I’d have had a think about the whole spirit of the game’. 

‘Same old Aussies – always winning,’ Mr Albanese said. On the field on Sunday, outraged England fans were chanting ‘same old Aussies – always cheating’ as deafening boos erupted and echoed through the stadium

Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said the PM agreed with criticism of the Australian team that their actions were not in keeping with spirit of cricket

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins celebrates the prize wicket of Jonny Bairstow – but English fans were left incensed by his stumping and let the tourists know all about it

Coach Brendon McCullum said: ‘I can’t imagine we’ll be having a beer any time soon.’

And on the pitch before the defeat, an irate Stuart Broad told Cummins: ‘That’s the worst thing I’ve ever seen in cricket’ before turning to Carey and warning him: ‘That’s all you’ll ever be remembered for’.

Despite the backlash, captain Pat Cummins maintains the stumping was fair. 

Mr Sunak praised the ‘swift action’ of the MCC against members who confronted the Australian team.

‘He thinks it was right the MCC have taken swift action to suspend any member accused of poor behaviour,’ the PM’s spokesman said.

‘He was there when Nathan Lyon hobbled out to bat on Saturday. Obviously he was in considerable pain and he was given a standing ovation by members there and I think he felt that’s much more in keeping with the spirit of the game.