Australian fans should shelve any outrage over World Cup time out decision

Australian cricket fans should squeeze a cork on top of any moral indignation over the decision to appeal for a ‘time out’ verdict at the World Cup, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

We can’t talk …

Australian cricket fans would be best served to squeeze a cork on top of any moral indignation over the stunning decision by feisty Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan to successfully appeal for a time out verdict against Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews in the World Cup.

It would be nice to hitch up our trousers, dust off our shoulders and then pontificate in a loud voice about how Shakib had broken the spirit of cricket which means so much to the code.

But have you forgotten? In our minds the spirit of cricket doesn’t actually exist.

Remember how we all poked fun at it after Jonny Bairstow was run out not attempting a run at Lords and declared debates over the spirit of the game were all meaningless froth.

“Rules are rules,’’ we chanted with a self-righteous swagger.

Sorry folks, but we cannot take both sides of the argument. We either believe in the spirit of cricket or we don’t.

You can’t shelve it for your own interests then stuff it in face of a rival when judging others.

Just as they were at Lords, rules were rules again in New Delhi.

The decision – harsh as it may seem and much as I cringed when I saw it – was correct.

Much has been made of the fact that Mathews broke his chin strap and that delay pushed him over the two minute time limit.

Umpire Marais Erasmus lays down the law to Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka (R) during the match against Bangladesh. Picture: AFP

But the fourth umpire revealed Mathews was still two minutes over the limit when he broke his strap.

Had Mathews faced one ball with the dodgy strap he could have taken as long as he liked to face up such are the vagaries of the rules.

Mathews dismissal, as cringe-worthy as it was, may have a subtle benefit to cricket where slow over-rates and non stop delays are slowing down the game.

Deep down its annoying to see the spiritless move pay off for Shakib who, throughout his turbulent career, has led player strikes, been banned for not reporting bookmaker approaches and kicking down stumps.

But hey? Guess what? Rules are rules …

Originally published as Australian fans should shelve any outrage over World Cup time out decision