Before being dismissed, Stokes made an impressive 155 runs, leaving England 70 runs short of their challenging total of 371.
Australia win 2nd Test: As holders Australia moved 2-0 ahead in the five-match series and sought its first away Ashes series victory in 22 years, England were eventually bowled for 327.
However, it was Bairstow’s ejection just before lunch on the last day that infuriated both the England squad and the spectators.
The last of England’s specialist batsmen, Bairstow, was dismissed for 10 runs in an odd manner when he strayed from his position after dodging a bouncer from Cameron Green, and quick-thinking wicketkeeper Alex Carey under-armed the ball onto the stumps.
Bairstow believed he had established his position when he tapped his bat on the crease.
The appeal might have been withdrawn by Australia captain Pat Cummins, but third umpire Marais Erasmus determined that Bairstow had been out, giving England a 193-6 lead.
The Lord’s crowd, known for its usually composed demeanor, unleashed their anger and frustration, chanting “Same old Aussies, always cheating.” This chant was a clear reference to Australia’s infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa back in 2018.
Carey received a “you’ll be forever remembered for that” from incoming batsman Stuart Broad.
Controversy at Lord’s: Bairstow’s Dismissal Upheld, Allegations of Spectator Misconduct, and Stokes’ Record-Breaking Century
However, a representative of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord’s and is responsible for upholding cricket’s laws, informed AFP that Bairstow had been awarded correctly.
Later, a representative for the Australian team claimed that angry MCC spectators had “verbally abused” and “physically contacted” players in the Lord’s Pavilion during the lunch break.
On 77, Stokes, who was then batting at 62, launched a hard lift back at Cummins, which fast bowler dropped.
After Mitchell Starc fumbled the second delivery over the boundary, Stokes hooked Green for three sixes in quick succession to finish an incredible 142-ball hundred.
Although Stokes acknowledged that Bairstow had been sidelined, he also asked, “Would I want to win a game that way? For me, the answer is “no.”
Stokes claimed that his aggression was not driven by resentment at Bairstow’s dismissal but rather by the fact that taking the fielders out of play was his “best option.” Stokes ultimately struck nine fours and nine sixes.
“Put it on”
There was “nothing strange or sneaky” about Bairstow’s termination, according to Cummins.
He claimed that “Jonny was leaving his crease with every ball.” “He used four or five balls to do it. In cricket, you’re supposed to remain in your crease. Many of our men have attempted it with Bairstow.
England was 243-6 at lunch, with Stokes still standing at an amazing 128.
Two balls after the break, Stokes resumed his remarkable attack by lofting Josh Hazlewood for an incredible straight six.
But two balls later, Smith missed a simple opportunity, and he was dropped at deep backward square. Two balls later, Carey missed him again at 114.
Stokes smashed Hazlewood for two more sixes, the second of which was a spectacular one-handed hit.
Australia was without Nathan Lyon after the off-spinner left the pitch with the significant calf injury he had sustained while fielding Thursday. Lyon had limped out to bat at No. 11 on Saturday.
Although England reached a total of 359, still their greatest fourth-innings winning chase against Australia, Stokes was unable to duplicate his heroics from 2019, when his incredible unbeaten century clinched a thrilling one-wicket triumph in an Ashes Test at Headingley.
He was out after 214 balls when he skyed Hazlewood to Carey.
England’s Hopes Dwindle at Lord’s as Stokes’ Heroics Fall Short, Headingley Test Poses Uphill Battle
Although Stokes left to a standing ovation, England’s chances of winning were all but gone at 301-7.
Ollie Robinson and Broad fell in quick succession after their partnership of 108 runs with Stokes. The game eventually concluded when Starc bowled out Josh Tongue.
Going into the third Test on Thursday at Headingley, England will have a steep hill to climb.
Australia’s remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit to win a Test series has only occurred once in history. The legendary Don Bradman led the Australian team to victory in the 1936-1937 Ashes, securing a memorable 3-2 triumph.