New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is regarded as one of cricket’s nice guys – which is why a controversial moment in the Black Caps’ T20 World Cup clash against England has caused such a stir.
Williamson dove full length to appear to have taken a stunning catch to remove opposite skipper Jos Buttler for just 8 early in England’s innings.
However, the third umpire would quickly confirm the star Kiwi had in fact fluffed it, with the ball bobbling out and hitting the ground before he clutched it to his chest.
So obvious was the not out that Williamson quickly apologised to Buttler, who had already walked to the edge of the boundary in expectation of the dismissal.
Buttler would go on to pile up 73 runs off just 47 balls to steer England to a hefty 6/179, but that didn’t stop fans from teeing off at Williamson on social media.
Accused of ‘cheating’, some suggested Williamson had only escaped scrutiny at the time from the official World Cup commentators due to his reputation as a champion of sportsmanship.
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Earlier in the tournament, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin had courted controversy in similar circumstances, when he claimed a catch to dismiss Pakistan’s Shan Masood, only for replays to show the ball had bounced.
Some fans were quick to point out that Ashwin, who has long been a focal point of controversy in the sport, had quickly been slammed for the act, accusing the cricket world of holding double standards.
Others, though, suggested Williamson would have received even more criticism had he been Australian.
Others, though, suggested that Williamson’s immediate reaction after the ‘catch’, suggesting to the umpires he wasn’t sure whether it was clean, were enough to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Interestingly, due to a quirk in the rules, England were denied a run despite the catch being dropped, as the ball became dead when the on-field call of out was given.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Yep, the old education line that smug lefties use. I know plenty that aren't anywhere near as erudite as they think they are that say the same. Start losing an argument and play the man, not the ball. Of course I remember the line talk, it didn't mean they were claiming to be the moral police of cricket, just that they kept personal insults out of it; crossing the line meant below the belt sledging
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Can't argue with people like him mate
Clear as mud
Guest
like Bradman, that Warner has been retired a long time now
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Yeah look, all us Kiwis have to say is….UNDERARM! That's ONE BALL FFS! How many decades now have the Finns been causing us to change radio stations?
Yeah look, all us Kiwis have to say is....UNDERARM! :happy: :happy: :laughing: :laughing:
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
A certain former Oz captain who wouldn't walk if he was caught head-high and 10 metres inside the long-on boundary?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
That's odd. I mentioned the *fact* that a former Oz Test captain *twice* claimed catches in Test matches that he must have known were not out, and that post never made it through...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
When did R Ashwin ever throw punches at an opposition player in a bar, send abusive tweets to journos, try and physically attack an opposition player, organise a bit of ball tampering or get despatched from a tour for bad behaviour? Do note that these are all facts and can be published without any fear of litigation.
Clear as mud
Guest
No footage there either
Clear as mud
Guest
There is no equivalence. There is an ethical difference in cricket between not walking, and claiming a non catch. The Ethics Committee review starts with that as an example of the importance of ethics in the game
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
My first sentence was a question, you didn’t specify what one you were one about, i referenced them both.
Cricket fan in SG
Guest
There were two umpires as well. Both dismissed the batsman.
Cricket fan in SG
Guest
Merely wondering why you felt the need to refer to the results of her first election - a common outcome in NZ.
jammel
Roar Rookie
100% if it was Patty C!!
jammel
Roar Rookie
Agreed Geoff. I reckon Steve Smith is a better T20 batsmen rn than Kane. Bit disappointed with Williamson claiming that - and also Ashwin in the Pakistan match. I felt they'd know they didn't catch it and it actually hit the ground. What about Kohli's pretend throw last night?!
davado
Roar Rookie
no. its a differnce of opinion. the umpire's call. Williamson however cheated. unprecedented to my knowledge, He couldntve been confused. he should be banned for life
davado
Roar Rookie
what a load of crap. Even if id never played id know that was cheating.
davado
Roar Rookie
ball tampering isnt cheating. Youre confusing apples and oranges. Williamson blatantly cheated
davado
Roar Rookie
he hasnt got a good record actually. He's cheated before , unpunished and now cheated again. He must be banned for life. Anyone else would be. Look at warner and his suspension for ball tampering which is gaining unfair advantage not blatant cheating.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Did you write letters to the editor when ScoMo became PM that way? what's this got to do with anything?