AUS vs ENG 2022: “The CEO of Sportsman Spirit” - Twitterati troll Matthew Wade for trying to “stop” Mark Wood from taking catch during 1st T20I
A controversial incident involving wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade took place during the first T20I between Australia and England in Perth on Sunday, October 9.
In the 17th over of Australia’s innings, Wade top-edged a short delivery from Mark Wood, and the ball lobbed up in the air. The bowler ran for the catch, but the batter stretched his hand out, right in front of the Englishman. As a result, Wood’s movement was blocked and he couldn’t reach the ball in time.
England were clearly unhappy with Wade’s antics, but they did not appeal for an "obstructing the field" dismissal. Despite the let-off, Wade was unable to guide Australia to victory. He was dismissed by Sam Curran for 21 in the last over. Chasing a target of 209, the Aussies were held to 200 for 9.
While England did not go ahead with their appeal to avoid major controversy, a number of Twitter users did not hold back from calling Wade a “cheat”. Quite a few of them took to the micro-blogging site to share their thoughts after a video of the Wade-Wood incident went viral.
Here are some reactions from shocked cricket fans:
Are our English friends (the custodians of the Spirit of the Game) quiet on this? twitter.com/waqasaahmad8/s…
Did they switch to playing football suddenly? Wade stopping the header https://t.co/lyv6kHCyCD
Matthew Wade is a massive cheat
Matthew Wade did wrong thing, it's not spirit of the game but he did against England so i am with him #AUSvENG https://t.co/HqSRDgXgUt
when Perry said, “dont do it, but if you wanna do it, do it against England” Matthew Wade was taking notes twitter.com/TheBarmyArmy/s…
No hate to Matthew wade but imagine Any Indian cricketer (men or women) did like this,
whole England would've gone crazy for so called Spirit of Game.
#AUSvENG
how did matthew wade get away with that lol
#AUSvENG https://t.co/WtgCbKsbFF
Matthew Wade showed his elite Australian mentality against Wood here. Sad he still couldn't win the game for his side.
#AUSvENG | #CricketTwitter https://t.co/G6c83E8gUG
Absolute rubbish from the commentary team trying to justify what Matthew Wade did there
He clearly was obstructing the field irrespective of the importance of the match. And no,he wasn't trying to gain momentum for a dive 🤡
#engvsAus
Matthew wade be like😭 https://t.co/fmqEuU90H0
Shameful behaviour shown by Matthew Wade , 🤮
On other Hand
Great Gesture of Spirit Shown by Jos Buttler & Mark Wood !
Hat's off!♥️
#AUSvENG https://t.co/Cw3xkyqSuY
#AUSvENG #ENGvsAUS #Perth
Mark Wood : Ball is in the Air, Easy Catch
Matthew Wade : https://t.co/d4YLPOQRLH
Matthew Wade’s made it on my Top 5 list of most hated Cricketers, dreadful bloke
Matthew wade giving away new meme templates #AUSvENG https://t.co/dnHzooALxC
Jos Buttler reacts to Matthew Wade incident
Speaking at the post-match presentation, England captain Jos Buttler stated that he was unsure of what exactly transpired as he was focusing on the ball. He said:
“I was looking at the ball the whole time so I wasn't sure what happened.”
Returning from an injury layoff, Buttler starred with the bat, smashing 68 off only 32 balls with the aid of eight fours and four sixes. The captain and Alex Hales (84 off 51) added 132 runs for the opening wicket. The latter smacked 12 fours and three sixes.
Thanks to the blazing opening stand, England put up 208 for six after being sent in to bat. Wood (3/34), Curran (2/35) and Reece Topley (2/36) then combined to restrict the Aussies to 200 for nine despite David Warner’s 44-ball 73. Reflecting on the win, Butter said:
“It was a great game of cricket and I was delighted to go over the line. They played outstandingly and put us under pressure (on Australia), it was important for us to take wickets, which is what Wood and Curran did.”
The second T20I of the series will be played at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, October 12.