London, July 15: In case the dramatic Ashes series was beginning to look too routine, Andy Flower injected a little spice into it yesterday. England’s team director rejected totally the assertion that his side had been guilty of gamesmanship – if not cheating – as the opening Test reached its spellbinding climax in Cardiff on Sunday by seeking to waste time.
“I am a little surprised at all the hullabaloo over it, to be honest,” he said yesterday in his first public reaction to England’s fortuitous draw in a match that Australia had dominated. “From my own perspective, in that last hour of the game, there was no time-wasting by us. Have a look at the footage yourself. Never did we consciously try to waste time.”
It was clear that Flower was upset by the allegations of Ricky Ponting, Australia’s captain, who said in the immediate aftermath that England’s behaviour in twice sending on their 12th man in the closing stages, was “pretty ordinary”. Ponting also suggested that the issue should be taken up with the England hierarchy.
–Agencies