After Ashes 2019 ends in a draw, Scott Styris takes a dig at England over boundary count

England avoided an embarrassment in the just-concluded Ashes at home by winning the fifth and final Test at The Oval by 135 runs. After having dominated the game they had to win to draw the series, England set the visitors a target of 399 which Tim Paine’s side failed to achieve. The visitors were bowled out for 263 on Day 4 despite Matthew Wade slamming a hundred. Australia, however, retained the Ashes because of the 2-2 draw since they had won the last series played at home in 2017-18.

Critics, however, were not ready to spare England. The Three Lions won the 50-over World Cup at Lord’s on July 14 by defeating New Zealand in a controversial final. After the match ended in sensational ties both after 100 overs and at the end of the super overs, the hosts were awarded the crown as they had hit more boundaries in the match. The criterion had left several in a shock, especially the supporters of the Black Caps who otherwise displayed an excellent standard of sportsmanship.

Australia hit more boundaries in the Ashes 2019 than England

But after the Ashes ended 2-2, former New Zealand batting all-rounder Scott Styris did not waste the opportunity to take a dig at England. And he did that in reaction to yet another dig at England by a sports reporter known by the name of Guy Heveldt. He tweeted saying although the Ashes ended in a draw, Australia still are the winners because they hit more boundaries than their World Cup-winning opponents (348 to 305). The intention was clear.

Styris, who played for New Zealand between 2002 and 2011, was quick to take a plunge into it. He responded to Heveldt saying it was like jumping the gun for the two teams had to play the super over first till that boundary count comes into play. In that final at Lord’s, England made 15 runs without losing a wicket and the Kiwis too ended up on 15, losing the wicket of Martin Guptill who was run out by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler while running for an impossible winning run.

The 2-2 ending meant both England and Australia finish with 56 points in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.