The India vs England Test at Manchester witnessed a lot of drama when Indian batters Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja declined the offer from England skipper Ben Stokes to settle for a draw before the start of the final hour of play.

Until then, both the southpaws had worked hard and scored 80 and 89, respectively. However, after their refusal, Stokes became visibly upset and left fuming, firing a few verbal volleys.

The entire episode drew a lot of attention worldwide, with Australian media criticising the England captain for his behaviour and conduct at Old Trafford. Showing zero sympathy, the Australian press labelled the Three Lions as hypocritical, pompous, and unsportsmanlike.

Leading the charge was Fox Cricket, which headlined its report: “Spirit… of what? How pompous England exposed Bazball’s great double standard.”

"England bang on about the Laws of the Game, as written by the MCC at Lord’s. But when opposition teams follow those laws to England’s disadvantage? Time to awaken the ‘Spirit’ again. Give it a prod. Shake some sense into them. Play fair, old boy!" it added.

“Spare us the whinging, England. The only thing embarrassing about Old Trafford was your tantrum.” - Brisbane Times said.

Herald Sun editorial wrote: “England’s appalling display mars absolute Test classic.”

Code Sports didn’t hold back either, branding England as a team suffering from an “identity crisis on the eve of the Ashes tour.” Its report read: “Moral hypocrites England decide tons are anti-cricket”