The T20 Blast fixture between Yorkshire and Leicestershire witnessed a rather bizarre incident in the second innings. In the third over, David Willey got the better of Leicestershire batsman Mark Cosgrove. The left-handed batsman edged the ball swinging away from him to the wicketkeeper Jonathan Tattersall while playing a cover drive.
Normally, even a viewer would not require a replay to confirm if Cosgrove edged the ball or not but the batsman, in this case, thought otherwise.
Without even looking back, the 34-year-old signalled the umpire implying that he did not edge the ball. Willey and Yorkshire fielders were already celebrating as Cosgrove left the field disappointed after scoring just 4 runs off 4 deliveries.
Here’s the video of the dismissal –
“No bat on that umps…” pic.twitter.com/XT04OMGJTC
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) July 31, 2018
Here’s how Twitterati reacted to it –
@lefeaverwba never walk!
— Jay Jay Aitch (@JonathanJHeath) August 1, 2018
That’s some stand lol wouldn’t want to play him at poker
— Garlick (@Garlick89) August 1, 2018
Hahaha audacious attempt to not walk
— Josh Kelly (@JoshKelly296) August 1, 2018
Doesn’t set a good example to kids. At amateur level I had a guy do the same and I asked him loudly “do you REALLY want me to have to give you out?”
— Phil Tibbs (@MoonieNo5) July 31, 2018
Worked for Broad
— Sam Stubbs-Benbow (@sambangsdrums) July 31, 2018
@angusevans_ the standard for you this year G man! #shhhnick #solidgloves
— Heath Farnsworth (@farnsy1964) August 1, 2018
There have been instances in the past when batsmen like AB de Villiers, Justin Langer and Michael Clarke did not walk off the field despite edging the ball clearly. But in those cases, the umpire did not adjudge in favour of the fielding team.
Whereas there have been players like Sachin Tendulkar and Adam Gilchrist who gracefully did not even wait for the umpire’s call before walking off the field.
The left-arm fast bowler Willey did well with both bat and bowl riding high on his recent performances in limited overs cricket against India. He picked up 2 wickets at an economy rate of 5 runs per over. He scored 31 runs off just 17 balls including 1 four and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 182.35.
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In the end, Yorskhire emerged victoriously beating Leicestershire by a comfortable margin of 60 runs. They posed a total of 187 for 5 in the first innings with the help of half-centuries from Kane Williamson and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. Leicestershire never looked like they were chasing the target and could only score 127 runs for 9 wickets in 20 overs.
