India on Sunday defeated Australia by 36 runs in a thrilling encounter after having scored a mammoth total of 352 runs for the loss of two wickets in 50 overs. The Aussies fought hard towards the end as keeper-batsman Alex Carey accelerated the run rate to score his 50 in just 25 runs, but his valiant efforts came too late. However, amidst India’s splendid win, the debate over the mysterious bails has gained momentum.
This was after David Warner got a life of sorts very early in his innings off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling. Bumrah was bowling at 80 mph speed when one of his deliveries edged past Warner’s bat before hitting the stumps, but to everyone’s surprise, the bails refused to fall off.
Former England skipper Michael Waughan called it ‘ridiculous.’ He told BBC, “It’s 80-odd miles per hour and it has hit leg stump. If you’re not getting out when you’re getting bowled, it’s a concern. Something needs to be done. It’s madness.”
Other cricketing greats agreed with him since this wasn’t the only time when the bails had refused to move from their place even after being hit by fast deliveries. Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar wrote, “Today is the 5th instance of ball hitting the stumps and bails not falling. 5th instance, WITHIN this World Cup. Whats going on?? ?In my entire life i have not seen 5 instances like this, let alone in the space of 10 days or a tournament!!”
Today is the 5th instance of ball hitting the stumps and bails not falling.
5th instance, WITHIN this World Cup.
Whats going on?? ??
In my entire life i have not seen 5 instances like this, let alone in the space of 10 days or a tournament!!#AUSvIND #CWC19
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 9, 2019
Former England captain Nasser Hussain wrote, “This can’t keep happening with the bails !!! Hard enough being a bowler nowadays .. needs changing”
This can’t keep happening with the bails !!! Hard enough being a bowler nowadays .. needs changing
— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) June 9, 2019
The previous occasions when the bails did not come off were the matches between England v South Africa at The Oval, New Zealand v Sri Lanka at Cardiff, Australia v West Indies at the Trent Bridge and England v Bangladesh at Cardiff.
Although it was heartening to see that in the spirit of the game both Virat Kohli and Warner had a laugh when the bails did not come off even when being hit with a bowling speed of 80 miles per hour.