Matthew Wade has landed in hot water with the cricket world after he looked to intentionally obstruct the field during a T20 game against England on Sunday night (October 9).
England secured an eight-run victory over the Australian side in a thrilling series opener at Optus Stadium in Perth.
However, the game wasn’t without its controversy as Wade looked to steal the game away from England, drawing the ire of the Barmy Army in the process.
The incident happened in the 17th over, where the batsman looked to intentionally get in the way of bowler Mark Wood who was attempting to catch the ball.
Wade had top-edged the ball straight into the air, as Wood came running down the pitch in an attempt to make the catch.
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However, the Aussie stuck out his arm to impede Wood as he scrambled to return to his crease.
Looking directly at his English counterpart, the 34-year-old certainly looked to have made a direct attempt to prevent Wood from taking in the ball.
England captain Jos Buttler decided not to appeal, noting that he didn’t want to spice up the rivalry between England and Australia with the Brits just landing in the country leading into the T20 World Cup.
Buttler said after the match: “I just had my eyes on the ball the whole time, so didn’t really see what happened.
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"They asked if I wanted to appeal, but I thought we are here for a long time in Australia, and it would be a risky one to go for so early in the trip.
“We’ve only just got to Australia so I thought, let’s carry on in the game.
“I didn’t see it live, I was just looking at the ball … I don’t know what I’m appealing for really.
“I could have asked maybe some of the other boys to see if they had a better view but I just thought, get on with the game.”
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However, when asked if his choice would’ve been different if the moment happened during the World Cup, Buttler simply replied: “Maybe.”
England and cricket fans alike weren’t as forgiving toward the situation.
England’s Barmy Army brutally tweeted: “Blatant obstructing of the field. Not like the Aussies to behave unfairly…”
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Cricket reporter Will MacPherson said: “If that isn’t obstructing the field what is?”
Meanwhile, Aussie test and one-day top-order batsman Usman Khawaja looked to be on the side of the UK lads.
He tweeted: “Can’t believe they didn’t appeal.”
The second of three games in the series kicks off this Wednesday (October 12) at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Jayden Collins