May 29, 2017 by admin

AB upset over ball-tampering chat by umpires

London, May 29
It’s early English summer yet, the Champions Trophy is yet to take off, and the first ball-tampering controversy of the season is already upon us. It involved South Africa, and they’re not pleased about it.
During South Africa’s defeat to England last night, umpires Rob Bailey and Chris Gaffaney had a chat with South Africa captain AB de Villiers before the start of the 34th over. De Villiers seemed upset as he spoke with the umpires. Later, he said he indeed was “pretty upset” — for the umpires had suggested during their chat with him that the condition of the ball had been changed by his team.
“The umpires felt the condition of the ball changed, in a way making me feel that we are responsible,” said de Villiers. “I was quite upset about that. I don’t know what else I can say, I was pretty upset. It’s done and dusted now… There were no fines given or anything like that.”
“I honestly told the umpires we have nothing to do with the condition of ball, except for the fact that Maharaj bowled five overs on the trot from that end,” de Villiers added. “The ball generally scuffs up when the spinner bowls a few overs. I expressed my views about that and we move on.”
Not cricket
Cricket’s big international trophy of the year is going to be fought over, but it’s barely registering in the British media. There was the FA Cup final last night, of course, won by Arsenal against Chelsea. Today, several pages in every big newspaper were devoted to it. There was more football, with the Champions League final coming up next Sunday.
England’s rugby team’s tour of New Zealand, to begin early June, has got extensive coverage in the Times, running several pages. Cricket? Barely one page, and ditto for French Open.