Piers Morgan has called out English rugby league player, Elliott Whitehead after a video emerged of him appearing to mock Jonny Bairstow's controversial Lord's dismissal.
Whitehead was playing for the Australian NRL team the Canberra Raiders when he was involved in a try celebration with teammates that poked fun at his fellow countryman.
The Canberra Raiders players recreated the Bairstow dismissal using Whitehead as the batsman.
The Yorkshireman was run out by Australian counterpart Alex Carey during England's second innings at Lord's on Sunday, during the second Ashes test, after wandering out of his crease thinking it was the end of the over.
Jonny Bairstow is run out! ❌
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 2, 2023
A MASSIVE moment in this Test match. pic.twitter.com/CyNn0JUYSI
The dismissal has divided the cricket world this week with some, including Morgan, saying it wasn't within the spirit of the game.
Piers Morgan calls out English rugby player for mocking countryman with Aussies
Piers Morgan took to Twitter to express his displeasure with Whitehead - who like Bairstow is from Yorkshire - for his part in the stunt.
Morgan said: "Just found out the batsman in this shameful spirit-of-the-game mocking stunt is not only ENGLISH, but a YORKSHIREMAN.
"What on earth are you doing Elliott Whitehead? Are you a closet Australian?"
Just found out the batsman in this shameful spirit-of-the-game mocking stunt is not only ENGLISH, but a YORKSHIREMAN. What on earth are you doing Elliott Whitehead? Are you a closet Australian? pic.twitter.com/BvT1008Gmf
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 7, 2023
He added: "Only surprised they didn’t bowl the ball underarm after sand-papering it."
Try celebration scripted as part of fundraiser
The try celebration by the Canberra Raiders was actually scripted and was part of an NRL fundraising campaign.
Each try celebration in the NRL, NRLW and State of Origin this month will see thousands of dollars donated to help ex-NRL player Nathan Stapleton and ex-NRL coach Daniel Anderson, who are both quadriplegic, in their recovery and rehabilitation after serious accidents.
Fans were sure to remind Morgan of that fact on social media.
Responding to Morgan's tweet, one person said: "And if you discovered that doing this raised a few grand for a good charity. Would that be in the spirit of rugby league?"
Another user said: "Nah. He just has a sense of humour mate. Something you seem to be lacking."
While a third person added: "Full blown Aussie is our Elliot."
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