Alastair
Cook gave it a new dimension stating that they believe India want to push for a ban on Anderson because he is such a key figure in
this series and are prepared to ‘sacrifice’ Jadeja, their second-choice spinner
and a lower middle order batsman, in exchange. The ICC will now appoint a
Judicial Commissioner who will compile evidence over the next 14 days, meaning
there is no danger of Anderson
being banned for Thursday’s second Test nor the third match at the Ageas Bowl. One
could recall that down under - Stuart Broad edges an Ashton Agar delivery to
Aussie captain Michael Clarke at first slip. Incredibly, umpire Aleem Dar failed
to spot the huge nick, Broad stood his ground and Aussies made a mockery of
Broad not walking out … while India
withdrew mankading – at Edgbaston, Lankan Sachithra Senanayake — ran out Jos Buttler – though this was well within the
rule, England made big hue of it.
Cook is
on record stating that the exchange had generated such a serious response,
describing it as "a big mountain out of a molehill". He also insisted
that he would not be asking Anderson
to tone down his behavior and suggested his leading fast bowler was probably
at his best when he is emotionally involved in the game. Anderson again is no saint and on earlier
occasions too has expressed his irritation by sledging the opposition batsmen. It is their attitude, their sledging, their
media, their perception that others would always take it lying down - England side is
universally unpopular almost across the globe. Joel Garner had the reputation
of being able to maintain a tight line and length without sledging; Malcolm
Marshall seemed to make the ball swing without whispering in the ear of the
batsmen ~ and Courtney Walsh generously allowed the runner to be back in the
crease with a warning. It is a fallacy to suggest the best players
need to engage in the orchestrated appeals, the theatrical displays of
disappointment, the sledging and posturing.
Within
hours of Alastair Cook’s suggestion of India trying to eliminate their
best bowler, MS Dhoni sought to bring
attention back to who the victim - so to speak - was. Cricinfo reports that Dhoni spent the first
half of the press conference trying to laugh off questions and repeatedly
citing legal requirements to not speak about the incident in detail, but when
told of Cook's insinuation, he opened up a little bit. "It's not something
that we have done," Dhoni said, showing the first signs of stress. Dhoni
appreciated how Jadeja handled the incident, not losing his cool and becoming a
victim of what he says has in the past been the opposition's ploy to unsettle
their players. Dhoni insisted on following the guidelines that bar physical
contact.
While Cook sought to twist, Former India captain Sunil Gavaksar
feels some "action is due". The Judicial Commission needs to come in
with necessary investigation," Gavaskar told NDTV today. Gavaskar
apprehended that this incident could be one party's word against the other.
"What happened in the lead-up to the dressing room is something that even
TV cameras won't be able to spot. So it will be one man's word against the
other," he commented.
With
regards – S. Sampathkumar.
17th July 2014.
