The Ashes 2013: 1st Test - 5 key moments of the match

2. Stuart Broad’s ‘dismissal’

Stuart Broad stood defiantly in the middle despite a clear edge

One does not like to remember great Test matches by its controversial elements, but this one certainly got all the tongues wagging.

Stuart Broad was sticking it out in the middle as Ian Bell compiled an excellent innings at the other end when he edged one delivery from Ashton Agar that was deflected by the gloves of Brad Haddin before being caught at slips by captain Michael Clarke.

Umpire Aleem Dar whose competence we do not wish to question, happened to be in the middle of his mid-day nap when the incident occurred, as a result of which he refrained from giving Stuard Broad the finger.

The Australians were obviously appalled and captain Michael Clarke’s reaction genuinely reflected some of the hostility that is more appropriate in a boxing ring. As David Lloyd said from the commentary box, Stuart Broad ‘had the audacity’ at that moment to walk to the other end of the pitch as if he had just struck a lusty blow above the bowler’s head.

Michael holding made the valid point later in the day that since Dinesh Ramdin was fined and suspended for claiming a catch falsely (which amounted to flouting the spirit of the game), then Stuart Broad was guilty of the same. Michael Clarke however was more sympathetic to Stuart Broad later at the press-conference, treating Broad as a ‘victim of circumstance’.

Fancy term for a cheat? Perhaps. Perhaps not.