Joe Root makes shocking Jonny Bairstow confession on one-year anniversary of Ashes stumping saga that ignited bitter feud between England and Australia

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England superstar Joe Root has admitted that he 'very easily' could have stumped a rival player in the same way that Jonny Bairstow was controversially dismissed during last year's Ashes.

One year on from one of the most infamous moments in Ashes history, when Bairstow left his crease too early and was run out by Australia keeper Alex Carey, England have released a documentary about the series.

The incident led to hostility between the two teams, with England and their fans furious with Australia's alleged lack of sporting integrity.

But reflecting on the episode during the ECB-made documentary, Bairstow's teammate, Moeen Ali, claimed that Bairstow has a tendency to leave his crease too early while Root said if Bairstow had simply stayed in his crease, none of the drama would have unfolded.

'Initially I was quite angry, but I think when you're involved in the game it's very difficult to put yourself in the other position,' Root said via Fox Sports.

'So I'd like to say I would have dealt with it differently, but I could very easily have done the same thing.

'At the end of the day, it's within the laws of the game. You should be aware as a player. Jonny will hate me saying this, but if you stay in your crease you can't get given out can you?'

Ali said: 'I always felt Jonny leaves his crease so early, he leaves the ball and just walks straight down, and I always felt he leaves early.' 

Joe Root has made a stunning confession regarding Jonny Bairstow's stumping

England were left enraged by an apparent lack of sportsmanship from Australia

But Root could not rule out doing the same thing to a rival player in the opposite position

The documentary gives fans inside access into England's dressing room during the Lord's Test, and Bairstow was seen addressing his teammates on night four of the Test match, with the hosts chasing 371 to win the match.

'Look I can't wait for tomorrow,' Bairstow said.

'We've been a part of some special things over the last 18 months. And for me, it just feels like it could potentially be one of those amazing days, and someone just stand up and put their name on the board, make a contribution, stick your chest out, front up and we'll be fine.'

Twelve months on from the incident that set tongues wagging, Bairstow has been dropped for England's upcoming Test series against the West Indies, further adding doubt to the batter's future in the team.