Dirk Nannes disappointed with Australia's 'terrible sportsmanship'
Former Australian cricketer Dirk Nannes has criticised the Aussies for not congratulating Ross Taylor’s knock of 290 runs. In the Perth test, Taylor became the highest scoring New Zealand batsman overseas.
The former fast bowler was in the commentary box during this match. He sounded disappointed with the sportsmanship displayed by Australian side on field.
According to a report by Stuff.co.nz, Nannes said, "In the spirit of the way this game has been played ... I can't help but be disappointed that no one actually went out to him and shook his hand. It's not that hard is it? You don't have a guy bat for a day and half out and there and just not even acknowledge it. That's horrendous sportsmanship."
Former New Zealand opener and coach Mark Greatbatch said that the Baggy Greens are arrogant. He said, “That is a disgrace and that sums up the Australians. They're just arrogant people and it would be nice if we get three or four quick wickets and they were six down at the end of the day and only 50 in front.”
Nannes’ fellow commentator Gerard Whateley expressed a different opinion when he said that it was a “lapse of concentration”. He added, “It happened so quickly, and I’m sure the calculations of what was happening with the clock, I doubt it was malicious, it strikes me as more of a lapse.
However, the former cricketer was in no mood for defending Australia. The 39-year-old former cricketer added, “But this Australian team, we're pretty good at lapsing. It's not hard to just do the simple things. It's like when you've got a kid - you teach them to say thank you when they go for a sleepover, you teach them to say thank you for the meal - pleases and thank yous. That's the sort of thing that happens on a cricket field. Yes, you say it's a lapse but we see it more and more often and it's not a good look.”
On the other hand, New Zealand players congratulated Aussie opener David Warner for scoring 253 in the first innings.