Cricket
Hostile crowd spoils epic ODI
2010-02-24 22:45
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Down but not out (Gallo Images)
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Altus MombergGwalior – The Proteas did not only have a run-in with a fierce Indian cricket team on Wednesday, but also with an overtly hostile crowd.
Play was almost stopped after Albie Morkel, 12th man in the second one-day international, was struck on the back by a large stone. He was fielding on the boundary.
Play was stopped while the umpires met with security personnel, but Zimbabwean match referee Andy Pycroft ultimately decided that play should continue.
“Albie walked to the umpires and said that he had been struck by a stone. They ensured that there were enough security officers around the field to prevent a repeat occurrence,” said Proteas captain Jacques Kallis.
The stone-throwing incident was just one of several dramatic moments in the match.
India posted 401/3 in their 50 overs, with legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar becoming the first player to score 200 runs in a one-day game.
South Africa could only reach 248 and lost by 153 runs.
Earlier, two Proteas had to be rushed to hospital for quick treatment so that they could continue participating in the game.
JP Duminy had to receive stitches to the skin between his thumb and forefinger on his left hand after trying to stop a drive by Virender Sehwag.
Charl Langeveldt slipped shortly afterwards while trying to stop a Tendulkar drive and had to receive stitches above and below his eye.
While Tendulkar’s masterful performance and India’s huge victory will dominate the news here, the stone-throwing incident was a huge embarrassment for the country’s cricketing authorities scarcely a year before they host the World Cup.