Cricke

Two England players trap ball with spikes, raise eyebrows

View of Lord's Cricket Ground during the fourth day of the second Test, August 15, 2021   | Photo Credit: Reuters

The England team caused a flutter when two players tried playing football with the red Dukes ball during the post-lunch session on the fourth day of the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

A footage from the official broadcaster showed an England player passing the ball to another who used his spikes to trap it, raising a storm as accusations of ball tampering flew thick and fast.

However, Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour felt it was "not deliberate".

"We saw it much later but I don't think it was deliberate," Rathour said at the post-day press conference.

The Indian team hasn't lodged an official complaint with match referee Chris Broad.

The incident was recorded in the 35th over of the Indian second innings, bowled by Ollie Robinson.

The footage didn't show the face of the players. The matter did not escalate and the umpires didn't change the ball.

In fact, when an Indian fan asked Stuart Broad on social media if it was intentional, the injured England seamer replied: "Of course, it wasn't." Broad's explanation was that if the umpires needed to check the ball after the particular incident to ensure it hasn't been fiddled with, then every six would warrant a ball check.

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Printable version | Aug 16, 2021 10:16:53 PM | https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/two-england-players-trap-ball-with-spikes-raise-eyebrows/article35929704.ece

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