JUST NOT CRICKET
Willey slams India ‘antics’
DAVID Willey has accused india of not playing within the spirit of the game after bowlers repeatedly pulled out of their delivery strides during Tuesday’s Twenty20 clash at Old Trafford.
Willey was involved in a testy exchange with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the last over of england’s innings after the indian failed to complete his action, while mystery left-arm spinner Kuldeep yadav did so three times.
‘i think Kumar was looking to see what i was going to do,’ said Willey. ‘i don’t particularly like it and i don’t think it is in the spirit of cricket. They have a few fiery characters, but i don’t mind a bit of confrontation. i am quite happy to get involved. But we are advised to leave those antics to others.’
Willey’s accusation will add spice to today’s second T20 at Cardiff. But Kl Rahul, who eased his side to victory in Manchester with a stunning hundred, hit back by suggesting england’s non-strikers were backing up too far.
‘The margin of error for bowlers in T20 is very little, so whatever tactics they can come up with to upset the batsmen is only fair,’ said Rahul.
Meanwhile, england’s batsmen practised against Merlyn, their spin-bowling machine, as they look to improve against Kuldeep, who blew them away with five wickets at Old Trafford.
Seamer Chris Jordan said: ‘Merlyn spins and bounces a lot more. But if you come out of a Merlyn session, you’re in good order. They have 10 other good players, so we can’t get caught up with Kuldeep.’