Ready to risk sanctions for team's sake, says Carlos Brathwaite

The third and final T20I between Bangladesh and Windies in Dhaka witnessed a huge controversy. The dubious incident occurred in the fourth over of Bangladesh’s innings when Oshane Thomas‘ legitimate delivery was given a no ball. Thomas had Liton Das caught but Windies’ couldn’t celebrate as the on-field umpire had adjudged it a no ball, saying that the pacer had overstepped.

However, replays on the giant screen showed that Thomas had a significant part of his foot behind the popping crease, much to the frustration of the Windies players. And their skipper Carlos Brathwaite was not taking it by the stride and he walked straight to the umpire and asked to review the decision.

It led to an animated discussion between the players and the umpires before the latter agreed to go upstairs. Umpire Ahmed then signalled Das out after getting the instructions from the television umpire. However, it did not end the dram as the fourth umpire and match referee, Jeff Crowe came downstairs to make things clear. They called Brathwaite to the boundary for another discussion as the no ball was overturned against the rules. Eventually, Das was reinstated and the ball was declared a no ball, the free hit stayed as well.

Ready to take one for the team

Brathwaite, meanwhile, could have landed in hot waters for protesting against the no ball and holding up the play for eight minutes. However, he was unfazed by the prospect of sanctions as he said he was prepared to take the risk.

“Sanctions may come and go, but if you don’t stand for something, you fall for everything,” Brathwaite said at the post-match press conference. “If the sanctions are to be handed, I would gladly take it. My team-mates need to be stood up for and as the captain of the ship, I will stand up for them.”

“Everyone saw that it was not a no-ball,” the Windies skipper added. “For a young man who is inexperienced, Oshane Thomas was under the pump. To finally get a dismissal but the ball has gone to your name as free-hit, to bowl the extra ball with an extra run, obviously it messed his mindset. As captain I had to take fall for the team. I had to make a stance not just for myself or the team but for West Indies cricket.”

Prior to the no ball, Thomas was hit for 23 runs off the first five deliveries. Das then added more salt to Thomas’ wounds by hitting the resulting free-hit for a maximum to collect 30 runs off the over. Windies, however, had the last laugh as they beat Bangladesh by 50 runs to win the series 2-1. Chasing 191, Bangladesh were all out for 140.

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~ Written by Bijoy

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