The Ongoing ESPN Commentary on Paper
Over 15
Nice and bright still. Although it’s only 3.20 pm. Hard to believe the light might not be as good in another hour. Here’s Shami
Manpreet Singh: “Who said test matches are not interesting. This match has turned into an interesting contest from nothing. Its almost 11pm here in new zealand and i cant stop myself following this match. Thanks to cricinfo for keeping us updated. “
Leg gully, fine leg, deep backward square leg. Basic error from India. Deep square leg moves in front of square now.
There’s a bit of chatter building, bringing the umpires into play. Ashwin comes up to chat with Dickwella. Then walks off. Then Umpire Llong intervenes and that makes Kohli go up and talk to him.
Both Team Players talk with umpire during day five of the 1st test match between India and Sri Lanka held at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on the 20th November 2017 —Photo by Deepak Malik / BCCI / Sportzpics
*** ***
A COMMENT from Michael Roberts
Perhaps because they are guided by ICC ‘rules’ or perhaps because of Indian patriotism, the ESPN typo-commentators do not indicate the realities we saw on TV. For the benefit of those who did not witness the scenes that followed, let me say that what we saw was the verbal intimidation of Dickwella by Ashwin and a little later by Mohamed Shami. The manner in which Kohli spoke firmly to the umpires in the immediate aftermath of the incident [and before the intimidation by Shami] suggests that he was party to the course of events. The BCCI image reveals that he was tapping Dickwella on the chest — as schoolmaster to pupil.
Dickwella’s cricketing shot –– a dancing upright flick for six from way outside the off stump!!! — was OUTRAGEOUS. So too his courage in both its execution and then in the manner in which he pinpointed the umpires’ blindness. And yes he was cheeky. But he was entirely in the right.
The Indian cricketers’ reactions were not in the spirit of cricket. On this issue, the umpires were piss-weak [though they did declare a no-ball because the field-placements were contrary to the regulations].
Pingback: The ICC is Imbecile: Verbal Assaults permitted within Cricket Field | Thuppahi's Blog