ICC leaves Graeme Smith without leg to stand on

Richard Hobson, Deputy Cricket Correspondent, Johannesburg

Andrew Strauss has been given official backing for his decision not to allow Graeme Smith a runner at a critical stage of the Champions Trophy game in Centurion on Sunday evening.

The ICC confirmed on Monday that Steve Davis and Tony Hill, the umpires, rather than Strauss were the driving forces behind the call that was criticised by Smith after South Africa’s elimination.

Strauss was not persuaded that Smith needed help and may have suspected a trick, with A. B. de Villiers, the sharpest member of the South Africa side, preparing to run for the batsman, who was on 124 at the time.

The England captain said afterwards that he did not believe in runners for cramp victims in any situation and suggested that Smith’s problem stemmed from issues with conditioning and preparation.

That view was shared by Davis and Hill, with the ICC saying: “They thought that cramp was a symptom of tiredness and fatigue and therefore took the view that it was not an injury or illness as Law 2.1(a) states.”

Smith complained of inconsistency, and in practice captains as much as umpires determine whether a batsman should be allowed a runner. But the ICC said that a precedent has been set for the rest of the competition.
The tough stance adopted by Strauss came two days after his gesture in recalling Angelo Mathews in the wake of a debatable run-out in the game against Sri Lanka.

Strauss will be more concerned at the fine imposed by Roshan Mahanama, the match referee, for a slow over-rate that will cost him 10 per cent of his match fee, with other team members docked 5 per cent each.
Nevertheless, the difference will add spice to England’s return for the five one-day internationals and four Test matches in South Africa in November. “It is going to come back at some period of time in his captaincy,” Smith said. “It will be interesting to he handles it again.”

ICC leaves Graeme Smith without leg to stand on - Times Online

imran nazir ko cramps te ya injury ti 2007 world cup final against india ??? why he was not given runner ???

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Surprise surprise surprise, seems like ICC know more about "sportsmanship" or "spirit of the game" (whatever you like to call it) than most of the frustrated key board hitters of the cyber world.

Now Strauss is rightly being praised for doing what he felt was right. Team comes before worrying about your personal image in media.

Dhoni didn't allow it. Its upto the umpires and captain.

that's what ICC says... I disagree with them

the thing then was that he had the same problem in the semi final and if he was injured, he should not have not have been selected for the playing 11 and he was selected and that is why he was not given a runner.

I doubt there would be this much backing from ICC and other captains, if for example Younis had not allowed a runner in that situation. Double standard is alive and well...

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If the captain wanted he could have allowed it, just like a captain can call back a player for example collingwood's example of today, even though he was given out by the umpires, and the position that New Zealand, like some other keyboard hitters justify that to win the match you can do anything, its not to please the viewers; Vettori still called him back, and collingwood is an in form batsman..and this was a must-win match for New Zealand..

anyways Strauss' intentions were pretty clear.

and vettori could have gotten his payback for grant elliot when he was injured while running and england ran elliot out ryan sidebottom collided with elliot and was injured and collingwood was the captain

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oh and I forgot to mention, please dont compare Younis Khan to Strauss. there really is no comparison there.

Vettori should learn from Strauss. Idiot called Collingwood back! who the hell cares about the sportsmanship? He should have also cried like Strauss or Collingwood.

huh? what exactly do you mean?

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Younis Khan mast banda hai.

I agree.. had Collingwood been given out, the English would have been crying all day about it..

On a side note, can't believe England is nominated for the Spirit of Cricket award..

ya it's hard to believe. Yaar eikk banda jisney 50 overs fielding kee hai aur 45 overs batting kertey ho agye usko to cramp ana hee tha. Also, it's not like Smith called a runner after 10 overs or was going to take cheeky singles.