Eoin: Spirit of game open to interpretation

England captain Eoin Morgan suggested the “spirit of the game is open to interpretation” after South Africa’s successful appeal against Jason Roy proved the turning point in their NatWest International T20 defeat.

South Africa levelled the three-match series at 1-1 with a three-run victory at Taunton after Roy was adjudged to have obstructed a throw at the stumps when short of his ground.

Roy was in full flow on 67 at the time, with England seemingly well-set to overhaul South Africa’s total of 174, but they fell agonisingly short after third umpire Tim Robinson decided the batsman had deliberately prevented the ball from hitting the stumps.

It was the first time in the history of international T20 cricket that a batsman had been given out obstructing the field.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was not playing, tweeted: “Can’t believe that @JasonRoy20 was given out in that manner .... embarrassment is the only word that can be associated with the decision.”

But Morgan described it as “probably a 50-50 call”, saying South Africa were within their rights to appeal while at the same time raising debate about the spirit of the game.

“It was probably a 50-50 call. You could see both sides of it,” Morgan said.

“Everyone thought it could go either way, so it’s not massively controversial. You can see why the umpires gave him out. Jason obviously looked at the umpire but after that he ran in a straight line, so that’s why it was a 50-50 call.

“They (South Africa) were certainly entitled to appeal and the spirit of the game is open to interpretation.”

The three-match series will now be decided in Cardiff tomorrow and Morgan took consolation from the performance of Surrey seamer Tom Curran, who took three wickets on debut.

“He was excellent. He bowled tough overs and has definitely put on a yard which makes his slower balls and variations more effective,” Morgan said.

“We were going really well for much of the chase but we lost a wicket at a crucial moment and nobody was able to take it up after that.”