Sanjay Manjrekar takes a sly dig at England after Ashes loss, receives flak on social media

The deciding third Ashes Test at Perth, after much drama, was won by Australia. The hosts bowled the visitors out for 218 in the second innings to regain the Ashes despite rain delays and a pitch controversy on Monday. England required at least a draw in the third Test to stay alive in the series but failed to do so. A match-winning double century by skipper Steve Smith guided his team to win back the prestigious Ashes. The hosts had earlier won the opening two encounters in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Having beaten the English by an innings and 41 runs at the WACA in Perth, the Australians are now 3-0 up in the series. One of the highlights of the third Test was Mitchell Starc’s ‘ball of the century’ which left James Vince, his victim, clueless when the ball jagged off a crack and crashed into his stumps. Following England’s defeat, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar took a sly dig at the English batsmen for putting up a poor show with the bat.

Manjrekar took to his Twitter handle and posted, “As long as we have English batsmen, we will have balls of the century.”

You can see the posts below

As long as we have English batsmen, we will have balls of the century.?

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 19, 2017

While some cricketing fans thoroughly enjoyed his sense of humour, some were left unimpressed with the pot-shots taken by Manjrekar.

You can see the reactions below

Sanjay Manjrekar commenting on players who hv had a better record than him in half his total playing years ?

— Rajat Gupta (@rajat2812) December 19, 2017

Seriously??? They are all easily twice as good as u ever were..

— SeriouslySober (@sreeraajj) December 19, 2017

If anderson bowled this to david warner in england in an ashes match,will u give a statement like that??? Think before u talk not only on twitter and com box also…

— Sahid Mastan Pasha (@pashasm23) December 19, 2017

If you're in the middle, I'm sure the result will be the same. So don't be so rude 😉

— Tridib Roy (@TD_R) December 19, 2017

When the Indian fans call Sachin a God, do the Aussie commentators/players tweet that as long as Indian fans are there, we will have human gods. #Think #Respect #Ashes

— Zacky Shiraaz (@ZacShiraaz) December 19, 2017

Introspection required. Please think the way you batted. Was more or less similar to the batsmen you are referring to.

— SURYANARAYANAN G (@g_snarayanan) December 19, 2017

Sanjay I respect you a lot, but being a cricketer never under estimate other players.. English players are champs

— Siva kumar (@imSivaKumar7) December 19, 2017

Vince, in a post-match conference, did not fail to appreciate Starc’s ball and conceded there was nothing he could have done against the delivery.

Pakistan legend, Wasim Akram, also to Twitter to congratulate Starc on the ‘ball of the century’ and said that the Australian reminded him of his bowling days.

The penultimate Ashes Test is set to begin from December 26 in Melbourne. With the urn lost, the Lions will be aiming to regain their honour in the dead-rubber clash.