Ashes 2023: Rishi Sunak’s hilarious ‘Didn’t Bring My Sandpaper’ jibe at Australian counterpart – watch

New Delhi: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Tuesday had some funny banter about a controversial moment in the ongoing Ashes cricket series between England and Australia. In a video shared by Albanians on social media, the two leaders were seen on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania laughing about the brawl that began a week earlier during the second Test of the Ashes series when England Regulation crease stumping was claimed. Was against the ‘spirit of the game’. Australia won the Test match when English batsman Jonny Bairstow left his position thinking the over was over, but was run out by Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

As the two prime ministers met in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, Albanians flashed a picture of Bairstow’s controversial run-out to mock the English cricket team. The Australian PM also showed a piece of paper indicating Australia’s lead (2-1) in the current Ashes series.

On it, Sunak also showed a picture of English players Chris Woakes and Mark Wood hugging each other after hitting the match-winning shot during the third Test at Headingley. However, the UK Prime Minister went a step further and referred to the infamous Australian ball-tampering incident of 2018, in which then Australian captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were found guilty of attempting to tamper with the ball Was. The ball during the third Test against South Africa.

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“I’m sorry, I didn’t bring my sandpaper with me,” Sunak quipped and had everyone in the room in stitches.

and of course we discussed it #Ashes pic.twitter.com/FeKESkb062

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) 11 July 2023

The banter between Sunak and Albanese began after the second Test of the Ashes series at Lord’s in London. After his team’s defeat, English captain Ben Stokes had said that even if Bairstow was run out, he would not want to win the game the way the Australians did.

When asked whether the British PM believed Australia’s actions were not in the spirit of the game, his spokesman said, “Yes”.

The spokesperson said, “The Prime Minister agrees with Ben Stokes. He said he would not like to win a match like Australia.”

A day later, Albanese also celebrated Australia’s victories in the men’s and women’s Ashes on his official Twitter account.

“I’m so proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who won their first two Ashes matches against England. Same old Aussies – always wins!” Albanese tweeted.

I am proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams who have won their opening two matches #Ashes match against England.

Same old Aussies – always win!

Australia is right behind @ahealy77, @patcummins30 And their teams are eager to welcome them home with a triumph — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) 3 July 2023