Cricket, just like any other sport, is boring without controversies. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which is about to enter the quarter final stages, has had its share of controversies already. Here’s presenting some World Cup 2015 controversies which created as much buzz as the on-field action:
William Porterfield’s “Associate” anger
Ireland captain William Porterfield insisted his side belonged among the world’s elite and said he despised the tag of “Associate” which virtually brands a host of teams as second-class citizens.
“I don’t think teams should be associated any differently, and putting those tags on us,” said Porterfield.
“As far as I’m concerned, there is a ranking system in place and that’s where we’re at,” added Porterfield.
Porterfield questioned”the point in keeping going” for Associate nations if the ICC does not reverse its decision to cut the next World Cup to 10 teams.
Umar Akmal’s controversial “DRS” decision
Indians appealed for a catch off Umar Akmal in their opening match against Pakistan. Captain and wicektkeeper MS Dhoni, who took the catch was confident of the batsman edging it to him. However, English umpire Richard Kettleborough said not out. But Dhoni used the DRS immediately. After seeing several replays, Davis relayed the “out” message to Kettleborough, who changed the decision and sent back Akmal for a duck. There was very little evidence on the device. It was not conclusive. But Davis thought otherwise.
James Taylor’s misses century
Facing Josh Hazlewood, Taylor was struck on the pad and set off for a leg bye as the ball trickled towards Glenn Maxwell at gully. Hazlewood launched an appeal for leg before wicket and umpire Aleem Dar raised his finger. Maxwell fired a throw at the stumps at the striker’s end, hitting the target. Taylor reviewed the lbw decision and replays showed the ball to be sliding down the leg side. Square-leg umpire Kumar Dharmasena then asked the third umpire Billy Bowden to review the run-out chance. Anderson was found to be short of his ground and was given out to end the match. Taylor protested, and rightfully so, given the Playing Conditions for the Cricket World Cup dictates the ball should have been deemed dead when umpire Dar raised his finger.
Virat Kohli abuses journalist over an article about his girlfriend
India’s premier batsman Virat Kohli suddenly lost his cool after a training session and hurled abuses at a journalist. To the horror of that journalist, Kohli started using filthiest of language and it went on for some time before he stormed off and some of the Indian team members looked amazed as to what exactly had happened. When he was told that he has mistaken this particular reporter as someone else, Kohli called one of the journalists and through him apologized for the incident.
Scotland’s Majid Haq sent home to Scotland over racism tweet
Majid Haq was sent home from the ICC World Cup 2015 after an inappropriate comment on social media, which suggested that he felt victimised on grounds of race. Majid Haq was not selected for the team that lost to Sri Lanka in Hobart yesterday and later tweeted: ‘Always tougher when your in the minority! #colour #race’, before later deleting the post
John Mooney labeled as an “alcoholic” by a Zimbabwean reporter
Zimbabwe’s Sean Williams was playing well against Ireland until he was caught on the boundary by John Mooney . While it wasn’t clear his foot was touched the ropes, Williams trusted him and Zimbabwe lost. A Zimbabwean reporter later labeled him as an alcoholic.
Rohit Sharma’s ‘no-ball’ controversy
India’s opening batsman Rohit Sharma got a reprieve on individual score of 90 and team total on 196 in the 40th over bowled by Rubel Hossain, in the second quarter final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Rohit went onto add another 47 runs in quick time to help India go past 300-run mark. Ian Gould was the umpire who adjudged Rubel’s full-toss as waist high ‘no-ball’ with Rohit being holed out at deep mid-wicket boundary. However, the TV replays showed that it was clearly not a no ball.
By Aniket Arora
