Published: Sep 09, 2018, 11:08 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 09, 2018, 11:08 AM (IST)
James Anderson could be fined after his show of dissent towards the on-field Kumar Dharmasena for not giving India captain Virat Kohli out lbw on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval. Kohli, batting on 16, was pinned in front by Anderson but the umpire turned down his appeal. England took the review but the decision remained with umpire’s call [on impact].
It was Anderson’s second spell of the innings after he had bowled impressively for his five overs but was wicketless. Frustrated with the verdict, Anderson reportedly told Dharmasena that he should have given Kohli lbw. As per reports in the English media, the England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Tests, met with the match referee Andy Pycroft after the end of day’s play.
He could be fined 15% match fee for his antics and is currently awaiting a final decision.
Anderson and Kohli have built a storied rivalry but the England paceman is yet to dismiss the India captain in the ongoing series. And with Kohli falling to Ben Stokes on 49, Anderson has just one more innings left to get the prized scalp of the leading run-getter of the ongoing five-Test series.
Anderson, 36, though, was rewarded for his masterclass as he dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara (37) and Ajinkya Rahane (0) in his consecutive overs and finished the day with figures of 11-3-20-2.
Jos Buttler, who top-scored in England’s first innings with 89, is enjoying every bit of Kohli vs Anderson, calling them ‘immensely competitive’.
“It’s obviously fantastic Test cricket,” Buttler said of the Kohli-Anderson rivalry. “Virat’s one of the best players in the world, if not the best at the minute and Jimmy’s England’s greatest-ever bowler so as a match-up for players and fans alike it’s awesome to watch. I think the two of them are immensely competitive and have had a great duel all through this series.”
