Aussie outrage at Kohli’s cheat claim

tHE cheating row between India and australia took a twist yesterday as the two boards issued defiant statements defending the behaviour of their players.

India captain Virat Kohli had accused australia skipper steve smith of consulting his dressing room for advice on DRs referrals during the tense second test at Bangalore, which India won by 75 runs. Despite smith admitting to ‘brain fade’ when batting partner Peter Handscomb encouraged him to look towards his team-mates for advice after he was given out lbw, Cricket australia chief executive James sutherland leapt to his captain’s defence.

‘I find the allegations questioning the integrity of steve smith, the australian team and the dressing room outrageous,’ said sutherland.

‘we reject any commentary that suggests our integrity was brought into disrepute or that systemic unfair tactics are used, and stand by steve and the cricketers who proudly represent our country.’

But the Indian board were equally adamant that Kohli was within his rights to suggest that australia had employed the illegal tactic more than once.

‘Kohli is a mature cricketer,’ a statement said.

‘His action was supported by umpire Nigel Llong, who rushed in to dissuade smith from taking recourse to inappropriate assistance.’