'Very poor': India slammed over 'disgraceful' appeal against Australia
India have been slammed for an unusual appeal during their mauling of Australia at the Under-19 World Cup.
Australia's campaign came to a crashing halt with India cruising to a 74-run victory in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.
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The three-time winners restricted the defending champions to 9-233 after winning the toss and electing to field.
However, they never recovered after slumping to 4-17, with in-form opener Jake Fraser-McGurk run out for a diamond duck, as Australia were bowled out for 173 in 43.3 overs.
But India drew the ire of fans when they appealed after a rogue throw at the stumps hit batsman Sam Fanning as he raised his arm to protect himself.
Even though the ball was comfortably bouncing and missing the stumps it hit Fanning on the arm as he protected his body.
But India enthusiastically appealed, believing Fanning had ‘obstructed the field’.
Under the laws of the game, a player is not allowed to make contact with the ball on purpose when a fieldsman is going for the stumps.
But they can deflect the ball to avoid injury.
The decision was sent upstairs but was quickly deemed not out.
Fans on social media slammed India, with many believing they had contravened the ‘spirit of the game’ considering Australia were already on the verge of a crushing defeat.
Congrats to #India u19’s on their win over Australia but I have to say they did not play in the spirit of the game. The appeal for obstructing the field was disgraceful.
— Jerry (@Jerrysportsgoat) January 28, 2020
Indians appealed against Sam Fanning for obstructing the field and the matter was send upstairs. Third umpire was not convinced and Fanning survived. It's all happening at Potchefstroom. #INDvAUS #U19WorldCup
Follow the action - https://t.co/G1fkTd76sZ— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 28, 2020
If you think that was obstructing the field then you should never watch competitive sport again.
Self protection is allowed. The ball wasn't going to hit the stumps. His bat would've been in when the ball bounced over the stumps.— Freo ⚓ Pope (@FreoPope) January 28, 2020
Very poor appeal from India U-19 team. According to law 37.2, the batsman cannot be out obstructing the field if he is protecting himself from injury. The ball was not going to hit the stumps in any case. #INDvAUS
— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) January 28, 2020
Right-arm quick Kartik Tyagi did most of the early damage, finishing with figures of 4-24 and taking two wickets in the first over as Australia slumped to 3-4 inside the first six balls.
Fanning stars in loss
Fanning batted well for his 75 and put on 81 for the sixth wicket with Liam Scott - who was batting as a concussion substitute following Corey Kelly's injury while fielding.
However, the pair along with Patrick Rowe (21) were the only players to reach double figures.
The Australians made early inroads with the ball to have India at 2-44 in the 13th over after dismissing opening batsman Divyansh Saxena for 14 and Tilak Varma for two.
The holders slumped to 3-54 when Priyam Garg was bowled for five, before opener Yashasvi Jaiswal revived the innings and took the total to 102 until he was bowled by Tanveer Sangha for 62 at the start of the 26th over.
From 6-144, Atharva Ankolekar (55no off 54 balls) and the dangerous Ravi Bishnoi (30 off 31) batted out 10 overs in a 61-run partnership, taking India beyond 200.
Bishnoi was run out in the 48th over by Fanning.
Todd Murphy (2-40) impressed with two wickets, removing Varma and Dhruv Chand Jurel (15).
Corey Kelly (2-45) also took two scalps, Saxena and Siddhesh Veer (25), while Connor Sully (1-56) and Matthew Willans (1-45) snared one wicket apiece at JB Marks Oval.
With AAP
