Former India captain Sourav Ganguly reacted bluntly after England piled up a record 481 for six in their quota of 50 overs in the third One Day International match against the visiting Australian cricket team at Trent Bridge. The hosts went on to thrash the Aussies by 242 runs in Nottingham.
With Tuesday’s victory, England have now taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing 5-match ODI series. While scoring 481 in 50 overs, England also beat their own previous all-time ODI record of 444 for three against Pakistan set at the same ground two years ago.
The news did not impress Ganguly, who took to Twitter to express his fear for the future of cricket particularly concerning Australia. In a series of social media posts, Ganguly wrote, “To see almost 500 runs scored in 50 overs in England is scaring me, bout the health of the game and where it’s going. Australian bowling getting treated this way whatever the conditions may be is not acceptable. A country of (Dennis) Lillee, (Jeff) Thomson, (Richie) Benaud, (Glen) McGrath, (Brett) Lee, (Shane) Warne, (Greg) McDermott (Jason) Gillespie produce such ordinary stuff is nerve wracking. Good bowling is important for survival of the game. is it dying? Hope not. I am sure they are more skillful and better bowlers in one of most powerful nations in cricket.”
Too see almost 500 runs scored in 50 overs in england is scaring me ..about the health of the game and where it’s going..Australian bowling getting treated this way whatever the conditions may be is not acceptable..A country of lillee,thompson,benaud.
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) June 19, 2018
McGrath,Lee,Warne,McDermott,gillespie …produce such ordinary stuff is nerve wracking..good bowling is important for survival of the game ..is it dying?hope not..I am sure they are more skillfull and better bowlers in one of most powerful nations in cricket
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) June 19, 2018
He then went on to add that the display of cricket by both sides in Nottingham was ‘like playing book cricket.’ Ganguly felt that Aussie bowlers such Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc were capable of playing effectively in both forms (Test and ODI) just like their predecessors, McGrath, Lee and Warne did for Australia so successfully for a number of years.
Tuesday’s defeat was Australia’s heaviest defeat at this level, in terms of runs, surpassing a 206-run loss to New Zealand in Adelaide in 1986, reported PTI. By contrast, this was England’s biggest victory in the format, topping their 210-run win against New Zealand at Edgbaston in 2015.
England are the hosts of the next year’s ODI World Cup.
