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

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

The Australian Prime Minister said he was “looking forward” to welcoming captain Pat Cummins and his team to “victory” after the sloppy win.

“The same old Aussies – always winning,” said Mr. Albanese.

On the field, indignant English fans chanted ‘same old Aussies – always cheating’ on Sunday as deafening boos echoed through the stadium.

Sunday’s victory sparked massive backlash in the UK after Jonny Bairstow went out of his way to talk to Ben Stokes believing the over was over. But wicket-keeper Alex Carey hurled the ball at his stumps and it was handed out.

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

“Australia are right behind Alyssa Healy, Pat Cummins and their teams…I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who both won their first two #Ashes matches against England.”

Earlier, Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister agreed with criticisms leveled at the Australian team that their actions were not in line with the spirit of cricket.

“The Prime Minister agrees with Ben Stokes who said he just wouldn’t want to win a game like Australia did,” he added.

But Downing Street downplayed the prospect of Mr Sunak clearing up the row when he next speaks to Mr Albanese.

“I think the public would want the Prime Minister to focus on core issues of the UK-Australia relationship and while there will always be a friendly rivalry I think there will be more focus on more core issues,” the spokesman said.

Mr Albanese’s comments were praised and criticized in equal parts, with fans of the Australian team’s conduct praising the Prime Minister for supporting his troops.

Australian Prime Minister said he ‘looks forward’ to welcoming captain Pat Cummins and his team ‘home victorious’ after the sloppy victory

Sunday’s victory sparked massive backlash in the UK after Jonny Bairstow went out of his way to talk to Ben Stokes believing the over was over. But wicket-keeper Alex Carey hurled the ball at his stumps and it was handed out

Australia’s Alex Carey punches England’s Jonny Bairstow in a dismissal not considered in the spirit of the game

“This might be the best thing you’ve ever tweeted,” one said, while another wrote “more of a reason why Australia is going to be a republic and cut ties with losers.” Bad at that.

“I’m an England supporter, but this is much ado about nothing. He’s gone, go back to the cricket.’

But critics said Mr Albanese should not support a ‘men’s team that cheats’, urging him not to ‘endorse such unsportsmanlike conduct’.

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

Three members of the MCC, including some of the richest and most powerful people in Britain, have been suspended after several Australian players were ‘verbally assaulted’ or ‘made physical contact’.

Defeated England captain Ben Stokes said: ‘Would I want to win a game that way? No. If the shoe was on the other foot, I would have thought about the whole spirit of the game.”

“The same old Aussies – always winning,” said Mr. Albanese. On the pitch, outraged England fans chanted ‘the same old Aussies – always cheating’ on Sunday as deafening boos erupted and echoed through the stadium

Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister agreed with criticisms leveled at the Australian team that their actions were not in line with the spirit of cricket.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins celebrates Jonny Bairstow’s awards ceremony – but England fans were outraged by his stumping and let the tourists know all about it

Coach Brendon McCullum said, “I can’t imagine we’re having a beer anytime soon.”

And on the pitch before the defeat, a furious 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 claims the stumping was fair.

Mr Sunak praised the MCC’s ‘quick action’ against members who confronted the Australian team.

“He thinks it was right that the MCC took swift action to suspend any member accused of misconduct,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.

“He was there when Nathan Lyon came to bat on Saturday. Obviously he was in a lot of pain and he got a standing ovation from the members there and I think he felt that was much more in line with the spirit of the game.