Test Win Overshadowed
New Zealand made a great game of the test match against Sri Lanka and came out on top, but all the commentators can do is bitch about McCullum dismissing Muttaih in the second innings as he went to congratulate Sangakarra on making his century. I agree completely with McCullums actions, the rules of the game stand and this talk of 'spirit' of the game is a load of crap in the days of the chronic players not leaving when they know they edged it, in the past this was considered extremely bad sportsmanship. In this day and age all batsmen hang around til that finger goes up.
So good on McCullum and the critics can shut up. Oh and also does anyone think Sri Lanka would be complaining if they had won?
And I agree completely with Flemings statement, "If we threw and Overthrow on that ball I am sure they would've taken the run."
1 comment:
Fully agree - Sportsmanship is one thing, but if your opponent makes a stupid mistake, and the game is in the balance, why should you have to stop and think 'Oh, is this the sporting thing to do?'! New Zealand struggles to win Test cricket matches as it is. If they stop every time they are gifted an opportunity to stop their opponent from batting for another two hours, just so they can weigh up the potential moral dilemma that is dismissing someone, how their opponent's feelings will be hurt and what Greg Ford of the Sunday Star Times will write about it (The guy who quipped 'McCullum you are a disgrace') - the NZ team will be even worse off than it already is.
To be fair to McCullum, all he would've seen was Murali walking off down the pitch. He should not cop any of the blame - Fleming should be the one dictating the levels of sportsmanship, and I'm pretty sure opposing captains are the only ones who can call someone back once they have been dismissed?
Nice to see the Sri Lankans sticking up for sportsmanship - this being the team that appeals on more or less every ball? I'm sure that's very sporting :)
Anyway, enough ranting - McCullum did nothing wrong. End of story.
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