Kohli hits out at short boundaries
England’s 31-run victory over India yesterday on a flat Edgbaston pitch that suited their power hitters has provided the Cricket World Cup with the shot of adrenalin it needed and keeps the host nation’s semifinal hopes alive.
But Indian captain Virat Kohli wasn’t happy with the ‘‘bizarre’’ short boundary square of the wicket in Birmingham, complaining that his side’s spinners ‘‘couldn’t do much’’ to stop England from racking up a huge total.
England thumped 13 sixes to India’s one. It wasn’t lost on observers that England were given a batsman-friendly deck and the boundary rope brought in on a day the host nation faced two spinners.
‘‘The toss was vital, especially since the boundary was that short. It is a coincidence that it just falls under the limitations of the shortest boundary you can have,’’ Kohli said.
‘‘It is bizarre on a flat pitch. It is crazy things fall in place randomly. If batsmen are able to reverse sweep you for six on a 59-metre boundary there is not much you can do as a spinner.
‘‘One side was 82 metres. They had to be a bit smart in the lines they bowled, but you can’t do much with a short boundary.’’
The International Cricket Council has said the pitches used in England had been decided months ahead of the tournament.
The win boosted English spirits after losses to Sri Lanka and Australia had pushed the host nation to the brink.
The Sun declared ‘‘Game On’’, The Telegraph said the World Cup ‘‘dream’’ was alive, while
praised Ben Stokes’ contribution – but it could mean little should England fall to the Black Caps at Chester-le-Street in Durham tomorrow. UNDER-FIRE DUO