Australia head coach Andrew McDonald made a shocking statement when asked about Sam Konstas' clash with India captain Jasprit Bumrah in the latter stages of the first day's play in Sydney.
McDonald called the Indian players' behavior “intimidating” and backed Sam Konstas throughout the controversy. He further expressed surprise at the ICC's decision not to fine any Indian players for their celebrations after Usman Khawaja's wicket.
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Andrew McDonald supports Sam Konstas; blame Team India
After the second day of the Sydney Test, Andrew McDonald was asked about Sam Konstas' heated argument with Jasprit Bumrah during the final over on Day 1. Surprisingly, McDonald blamed India and called their behavior intimidating.
“My conversation with him was about whether it was good. Clearly, the way India celebrated it was quite intimidating,” McDonald told reporters.
Australia's head coach criticized the way Indian players crowded around Sam Konstas during Usman Khawaja's wicket celebrations and said it was his duty to make sure the player was OK and in a mental space good.
“It's clearly within the laws of the game. They haven't been charged with it, but for an opposition to swarm such a non-striker, we have a duty of care to make sure our player is OK and in a clear space to go out. the next day and weigh so many were those conversations,” he added.
Is such behavior acceptable?
When asked if such behavior was acceptable, Andrew McDonald chose to leave it to the ICC to decide the future course of action. He showed full faith in the world body and match referee Andy Pycroft to take the right decision going forward.
“Clearly it's acceptable because there were no fines or punishments. I'll leave that to the ICC. Obviously, Andy Pycroft being the match referee and the umpires there, if they felt it was satisfactory then I suppose that's the benchmark. we play between us,” observed the former Australian policeman.
Indian players including Prasidh Krishna and Virat Kohli were pumped after the dismissal. However, there were no fines from ICC match referee Andy Pycroft.
What was the incident between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah?
Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah were involved in a verbal altercation with each other in the final of the first day. The altercation began when Bumrah rushed to bowl the final over while batsman Usman Khawaja was taking his time to ensure India did not make an extra over.
During this period, non-striker Sam Konstas said something to Jasprit Bumrah and caused him to lose a few seconds. Bumrah rushed towards Konstas and said some angry words, while Konstas didn't stop as well.
The referee had to rush to calm the situation later. Later, Bumrah picked up the wicket of Khawaja on the last ball of the day and immediately looked at Konstas at the non-striker's end. The Indian players were absolutely delighted at the dismissal and celebrated wildly with Konstas still around.