Watch: A controversial non-wide call made England lose by 1 run against New Zealand
New Zealand registered a historic victory against England in Wellington after being enforced to follow on after the first inning. The margin was so small that the ball bowled just before the […]
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Feb 28, 2023 6:12 pm
New Zealand vs England (Source -Twitter)
New Zealand registered a historic victory against England in Wellingtonafter being enforced to follow on after the first inning. The margin was so small that the ball bowled just before the final delivery has become the topic as England lost the game by just 1 run.
Before dismissing James Andreson to finish the game, Neil Wagner bowled a sharp bouncer to him just a ball before. The ball flew away from the batter’s body and angled toward the wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Anderson looked at the umpire Rod Tucker, assuming that he will give it a wide, which could level the score between both teams.
The umpire didn’t make any sign and the ball was considered legal. On the very next delivery, Blundell took grabbed the ball as it found the edge of Anderson’s bat and the Blackcaps registered one of the most iconic victories in the longer format.
Former cricketer and commentator David Gower said that it was a contentious call and it would have been wide at any other time of the game.
"Its a point of contention but is not worth for forever and a day"
“I’ve got a nasty feeling that, any other time of the game, that might have been called a wide. If it was two overs earlier, it might have been called a wide. But one run to tie, two to win, it’s a desperate call to have to make. I know there will be no recriminations I am sure within the England camp, because they are better than that. They are bigger than that. They will be talking, there will be thoughts about it for sure. Everyone… and people have seen it on TV, here at the ground. Certainly, on TV you had the best view of it, they will also be asking the question,” said Gower while speaking to BT Sport after the match.
‘It’s not worth digging it up’ – Gower
“It’ll be like the argument after the events of that Pope catch. Was he encroaching on the pitch? You can go back to that if you want. You can go back over so many things. I honestly think, yes it’s a point of contention, but it’s not worth digging it up…” he further added.
England were looking very strong after the first inning, but the century by Kane Williamson (132 off 282), and solid opening stand by Tom Latham and Devom Conway put the hosts back into the game and turn the match around. With this win, the two-match series between both teams ended 1-1.
