Strauss gets ICC backing in cramp row
WORLD governing body the ICC has backed England captain Andrew Strauss in the row over cramp that erupted during Sunday’s Champions Trophy defeat of South Africa.
Proteas skipper Graeme Smith asked for a runner when he started cramping as the hosts vainly chased their target of 324.
But Strauss, backed by the umpires, turned down the request, arguing that it was not strictly an injury and more an issue of conditioning.
The decision infuriated Smith, who said Strauss would regret his stance when he eventually faced the same situation.
But the ICC yesterday threw its weight behind the England skipper, insisting his interpretation would be applied throughout the tournament.
“He asked for a runner and the umpires took the view that cramp is a symptom of fatigue,” said an ICC spokesman.
“Being tired does not qualify batsmen for a runner under the laws of the game. That is the way it will be interpreted by the umpires for the rest of the tournament.”
England’s superb 22-run victory dumped hosts South Africa out of the tournament and ensured their own progress to the semi-finals. They can afford to lose today’s clash against New Zealand but Owais Shah, whose 98 made him man of the match against the Proteas, insists maintaining their 100 per cent record is vital to their new-found belief that they can win the tournament.
“The team is confident right now,” said Shah. “You always enter a competition to win it and the way we’re playing at the moment I don’t see why we can’t go all the way.
“We have to make sure we beat New Zealand tomorrow and keep that momentum going.”