Controversies add bit of spice to final test
Source: Agencies |
January 6, 2011, Thursday
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FEW things excite the cream flannelled cricket establishment quite like accusations of cheating.
So when Ian Botham, the erstwhile former England allrounder, described Phil Hughes as a cheat during a TV commentary yesterday when the Australian fielder appealed for a catch to dismiss Alastair Cook on 99, it was bound to stir up debate about technology and how it used to aid umpires.
England batsman Ian Bell later referred a caught behind decision to the TV umpire, who decided there wasn't enough evidence to support umpire Aleem Dar's call. Dar heard a noise when the ball from Shane Watson passed between bat and pad of Bell, who was on 67 at the time.
Turns out, some other technology showed Bell did lightly snick it on the way through to the wicketkeeper.
Regardless, both English batsmen went on to score their hundreds.
The first question asked of Michael Clarke, who is filling in for injured Ricky Ponting as Australia test captain for the first time, was about Botham's comments.
"I can guarantee one thing: Phillip Hughes is not a cheat," Clarke said. "He's a wonderful young guy. That's a bit harsh for Ian to say that about Phillip, he's not that sort of guy."
Cook, the leading runscorer in the series, clipped a ball from Michael Beer toward Hughes, who was fielding at bat-pad. Hughes grabbed the ball just as it appeared to hit the grass, claiming the catch. He appealed, but told teammates he wasn't sure he'd got his fingers under it before the ball bounced. Clarke told the umpire, who referred the decision to the TV umpire.
Cook stayed at the crease.
"Obviously it was very close and to be fair to Phil Hughes he said straight away, 'I wasn't sure,'" Cook said. "I, obviously, was going to hang around. On 99 you're not going to walk off very quickly, you're going to be dragged off. They went upstairs and obviously again I think the right decision was made."
Cook was eventually out for 189, including a 154-run stand with Bell.
England, which just needs to draw the match to secure a first series win in Australia for 24 years having already retained the Ashes, was on 488-7 with Matt Prior (54) and Tim Bresnan (0) at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Bell departed for 115 shortly before the end of the day after being caught by Clarke off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.
So when Ian Botham, the erstwhile former England allrounder, described Phil Hughes as a cheat during a TV commentary yesterday when the Australian fielder appealed for a catch to dismiss Alastair Cook on 99, it was bound to stir up debate about technology and how it used to aid umpires.
England batsman Ian Bell later referred a caught behind decision to the TV umpire, who decided there wasn't enough evidence to support umpire Aleem Dar's call. Dar heard a noise when the ball from Shane Watson passed between bat and pad of Bell, who was on 67 at the time.
Turns out, some other technology showed Bell did lightly snick it on the way through to the wicketkeeper.
Regardless, both English batsmen went on to score their hundreds.
The first question asked of Michael Clarke, who is filling in for injured Ricky Ponting as Australia test captain for the first time, was about Botham's comments.
"I can guarantee one thing: Phillip Hughes is not a cheat," Clarke said. "He's a wonderful young guy. That's a bit harsh for Ian to say that about Phillip, he's not that sort of guy."
Cook, the leading runscorer in the series, clipped a ball from Michael Beer toward Hughes, who was fielding at bat-pad. Hughes grabbed the ball just as it appeared to hit the grass, claiming the catch. He appealed, but told teammates he wasn't sure he'd got his fingers under it before the ball bounced. Clarke told the umpire, who referred the decision to the TV umpire.
Cook stayed at the crease.
"Obviously it was very close and to be fair to Phil Hughes he said straight away, 'I wasn't sure,'" Cook said. "I, obviously, was going to hang around. On 99 you're not going to walk off very quickly, you're going to be dragged off. They went upstairs and obviously again I think the right decision was made."
Cook was eventually out for 189, including a 154-run stand with Bell.
England, which just needs to draw the match to secure a first series win in Australia for 24 years having already retained the Ashes, was on 488-7 with Matt Prior (54) and Tim Bresnan (0) at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Bell departed for 115 shortly before the end of the day after being caught by Clarke off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson.
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