A freak incident involving “serial offender” Steven Finn may well have robbed England of a possible series-levelling victory in the fourth One-Day International.
The lanky paceman inadvertently knocked down the bails on his delivery stride that had Man-of-the-Match Suresh Raina ‘caught’ at slip by skipper Alastair Cook.
At that stage, Raina was on 41 with India 178 for four in its chase of 258 at the start of the 36th over. But much to the relief of the batsman and Indian supporters, Australian umpire Steve Davis signalled ‘dead ball’.
Later, Cook said, “There was a bit of confusion. Apparently we had been told (by the umpires) that because he knocked them over twice in a previous game (at Rajkot), he was a ‘serial offender’ and that he was going to get warned straightaway.
“In the heat of the moment, I think a few of us might have forgotten that or whether we’d been told that, I was not entirely sure. I know it’s a tough job for the umpires but it’s obviously frustrating because at that time, that wicket would’ve again put us in just a slightly better situation than we were in. So it’s obviously frustrating when those little things don't go your way.
“Well, at the time I didn't know, but apparently the umpires were pretty clear that they had told us that, so I must have been deaf when I was listening to them. At the moment, obviously with the emotions quite high, you know it could have cost us, probably not, but if they did say that then it is fair.”
When asked whether he was frustrated with Finn, Cook said, “He bowled 60 balls and he knocked them off once, so he probably bowled 61 balls then with that 'dead' ball. He’s a lot better than he was.” — Special Correspondent
