The first Twenty20 international between Australia and England was played in Perth, and it was marred by controversy when Matthew Wade seemed to prevent Mark Wood from taking a return catch. During Australia’s pursuit of 209 runs, in the 17th over, Wade top-edged a pull shot off Wood against his helmet, which caused the ball to soar vertically into the air.
The England pacer raced in toward the striker’s end in an attempt to grab a return catch, but Wade, who was moving back towards the crease at the time, stretched his arm and prevented Wood from reaching the ball, which had securely landed at that point.
Jos Buttler, the captain of England, lifted his arms in what seemed to be a show of hesitation; nevertheless, the Englishmen did not appeal, and Wade was saved.
But Wade, though, was not able to carry Australia over the finish line as he was dismissed by Sam Curran in the penultimate over. The high-scoring match was ultimately won by England by a margin of eight runs.
Alex Hales and Jos Buttler’s opening partnership of 132 runs was a great way for the visitors to get off to a strong start. While Hales scored 84 runs off 51 balls, Buttler smacked 68 runs off only 32 deliveries.
Chris Woakes smashed an unbeaten 13 off 7 to help push them to 208/6, even though the rest of the batters were unable to produce any significant runs.
Mark Wood then got three crucial wickets to assist in limiting Australia to a score of 200/9, which allowed England to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
One Twitter user mocked Matthew Wade over the incident, calling him the CEO of sportsmanship, and he seemed to be a Pakistani fan. He tweeted: “The CEO of Sportsman Spirit, M Wade, stopping M Wood from catching the ball!! The OZs”
The CEO of Sportsman Spirit, M Wade, stopping M Wood from catching the ball!!
The OZs@azkhawaja1 pic.twitter.com/zAsJl6gpqz— WaQas Ahmad (@waqasaAhmad8) October 9, 2022
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India fans reacted to his tweet, drawing comparisons to the moment in the ICC World T20 2021 semi-final when Matthew Wade demolished the Pakistani bowling attack to knock them out.
Here is how the Indian fans reacted to his tweet:
I think Mathew Wade is saying to the non striker end to not take a run. I don't think he is obstructing. This is natural reaction of batter to not go for a run.
Advertisement— Sangam Gupta (@iamSG41) October 9, 2022
Beggaristan are the best boot lickers country in the world, look like ECB send money to PCB on time 😂🤣 so much bonding with England because they tour you guys 😂🤣
— A.K.S (@aks_amul) October 9, 2022
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I can understand Pakis burn here. pic.twitter.com/ds4whjF1Uu
Advertisement— The Infusion (@TheInfusion100) October 9, 2022
No one match afridi sportsmanship
Bhikaristan 🇵🇰🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/f6uXvnW2xV— shiv singh (@SHIVSINGH234) October 9, 2022
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Why didn't the umpire give it out though? It is clearly obstructing the field,where was the umpire looking?
And surely England need to appeal that.Advertisement— PK (@kp_oo7) October 9, 2022
Spirit of game watching pic.twitter.com/iVicTwR4cI
— Prakhar (@prakharshubham) October 9, 2022
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Where is our English players who teaches us on spirit of game??@benstokes38 @sambillings @TheBarmyArmy
Advertisement— sharad sonune (@sharad_sonune) October 9, 2022
