English fans call Aussies cheats after Cameron Green Ashes catch
English cricket fans chant ‘Same old Aussies, always cheating!’ after being outraged by Cameron Green’s play in the field at Edgbaston Test
- Green took another classic catch
- Comes after WTC final controversy
- English fans were not impressed
The opening Test of The Ashes remained on a knife’s edge at stumps on day three after a sensational piece of fielding that English cricket fans believe was ‘cheating’.
The Aussies delivered two crucial breakthroughs under challenging batting conditions, leaving England’s hopes hanging in the balance.
As dark clouds loomed overhead, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland orchestrated a mesmerising passage of cricket, dismantling England’s openers.
However, the Aussies earned the ire of the English crowd for what they believed was excessive appealing in the lead-up to the dismissals.
The Australian team loudly appealed for the wicket of Zak Crawley as the ball cannoned into his pads twice in two balls, but did not review either of the not out decisions.
That led the English crowd to start baying: ‘Same old Aussies, always cheating.’
The highlight of the day came when Cameron Green, positioned in the gully, showcased his fielding prowess with a remarkable catch.
Displaying lightning reflexes, the all-rounder lunged to his left, secured the ball and clutched it tightly before hitting the ground to dismiss Ben Duckett off the bowling of Scott Boland.
Even though this was reviewed and given out, the crowd once again chanted: Same old Aussies, always cheating.’
Green has been making a habit of taking low, diving catches that have made opposition fans cranky – and he did it again as England kicked off their second innings at Edgbaston
Green celebrates his catch with Aussie veterans Steve Smith and David Warner late on day three of the first Ashes Test
While the fans were less than impressed, Green’s heroics did not go unnoticed with British pundits like Nine commentator Nasser Hussain, who lauded the young gun as a ‘brilliant’ and ‘genius’ gully fielder.
The incident evoked memories of a similar diving catch taken by Green during the World Test Championship final, which drew accusations of cheating from Indian supporters.
The third umpire, after meticulous scrutiny of countless replays, confirmed that Green had indeed made a fair catch, leading to boos from the stands.
England’s Ben Duckett looks dejected as he leaves the field of play after being dismissed by the screamer of a catch by Green
The ominous conditions made life very difficult for the English batsmen late on day three
Aussie skipper Pat Cummins celebrates after he dismissed Crawley in the shadows of stumps on day three
Commentating on the spectacle for Channel 7, James Brayshaw said: ‘If you look at not only [Green’s] instant reaction but also the fielders around him, there was no doubt that the fingers were under the ball.’
Despite the negative reception, Green’s fielding brilliance drew admiration from all quarters.
Adam Collins of SEN marveled at the all-rounder’s agility, saying: ‘I just don’t believe I’ve ever seen a [better] fielder in that position…Green is next level, making gully fielding sexy again.’
At the close of play, England stood at 2-28, holding a narrow lead of 35 runs. Ollie Pope and Joe Root, yet to make their mark on the scoreboard, faced an uphill battle against the formidable Australian attack.
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