‘England reverse the ball quicker’
South Africa skipper AB de Villiers on Tuesday expressed concerns over allegations of ball-tampering against the English side and seemed a bit amazed at the host bowlers’ ability to reverse swing the ball “a bit quicker than the rest of the teams” in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
The hosts have been hit by allegations of ball-tampering ahead of their high-voltage semi-final, slated to be held here against South Africa.
“If they are doing something funny with the ball, then it’s definitely a concern, yes, but we’ve got no proof of that. Look, they seem to get it to reverse a bit quicker than the rest of the teams so maybe they’ve just got really good skill in their bowlers,” De Villiers said.
“We’ve tried, as well — I think all teams try to do that, and we haven’t really managed to succeed in that, but we’ll try that again tomorrow and see if our bowlers can find that skill to reverse the ball.
“It’s something that the umpires and the ICC will probably look into why England and some of the other teams might get it to reverse quicker. If there is something funny happening, then it’s definitely a concern, yes,” he added.
England captain Alastair Cook said that South African team’s habit of choking in major competitions will have no relevance. “It’s another day tomorrow, it’s another game, and what's gone on in the past has no relevance to tomorrow. It’s whichever side handles the pressure well tomorrow, and people in that side — in your own side, put your hand up and deliver, and that’s what you have to do in these big games,” Cook said.
For the talented England captain, it’s a massive game as they now get a chance to qualify for the final of an ICC event. “It’s a massive game for both sides. We’ve got the opportunity to go into the final of an ICC competition, and it’s such an exciting place for a player to be,” he added.
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Unbeaten India consolidate top spot in ODI table
London, June 18: India strengthened their number one position on the ICC ODI championship table as they have added two more rating points to their kitty with an unbeaten run in the group stage of the Champions Trophy.
India had entered the tournament on 119 ratings points and have moved to 121, thanks to victories over South Africa, the West Indies and Pakistan.
England are ranked second after moving up two places from fourth, thereby pushing Australia to third.
Second-ranked England and third-placed Australia are level on 113 ratings points, but Alastair Cook’s side is ranked above Michael Clarke’s team by a fraction of a point.
South Africa dropped a place to fourth.
— PTI
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