Morris has no qualms over Roy controversy
taunton — Chris Morris said South Africa were prepared to “take it and run” after the extraordinary dismissal of England’s Jason Roy helped set up a morale-boosting win in the second Twenty20 international at Taunton.
A tour that had already seen the Proteas lose a one-day international series to England 2-1, and cement their reputation as serial under-achievers at major events with a first-round exit at the Champions Trophy ODI tournament before Wednesday’s nine-wicket thrashing in the first Twenty20, was heading for yet another defeat while Surrey opener Roy was making a stylish 67 at Taunton on Friday.
But the match swung South Africa’s way when Durban-born Roy became the first player in a Twenty20 international to be given out obstructing the field.
The incident happened when Roy veered off a straight course and was hit by a throw from Andile Phehlukwayo when short of his ground.
South Africa appealed and, after the decision was referred to third umpire Tim Robinson, the former England opening batsman decided, as required under cricket’s Law 37, that the obstruction had been “wilful” and Roy, to his visible dismay, was given out.
The Proteas still had work to do, with England now 133 for three in the 16th over chasing a victory target of 175.
But with seam-bowling allrounder Morris taking two for 18 — a haul that gave the 30-yearold the man-of-the-match award — South Africa held England to 171 for six for a three-run win that saw them level the threematch series ahead of Sunday’s finale in Cardiff. An unapologetic Morris said of Roy’s exit: “It’s part of the rules.
“It looks a lot worse than it actually is with us appealing like that, but you’ve got to appeal to get a decision from the umpires.
“We’ll take it and run, but the on-field umpire told me at the time that the right decision was made.” —