Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq has been dragged into a ‘chucking’ storm after Australian batter Cameron Green appeared to accuse the bowler of throwing the ball in Australia’s T20 defeat. But the ICC has now cleared the bowler’s action on two occasions.
Australia has once again been outplayed in their T20 cricket series against Pakistan after scoring 108 runs in their chase of 298. Spinner Adam Zampa described the conditions as “alien” after the loss in the first T20 loss and it appeared Australia didn’t adapt again with spin and slower conditions causing them all sorts of issues.
Cameron Green (pictured right) appeared to accuse Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq (pictured left) of ‘chucking’ the ball in their T20 defeat. (Images: Pakistan Cricket)
And Green caused a storm after his dismissal after it looked like he accused Tariq of ‘chucking’ the ball. Green mistimed a Tariq delivery when he was on 35 and launched the ball high into the sky and straight to a fielder.
The Aussie allrounder appeared furious and as he walked off the field. And cameras picked him up mimicking a ‘chucking’ action. He appeared to be referring to Tariq’s delivery. He then did it again as he crossed the boundary rope. Green’s action has caused a storm with Pakistan fans jumping in to defend Tariq.
The bowler’s action is unusual with the right-arm spinner releasing the ball at different angles and heights. While there will surely be more scrutiny on Tariq’s action going forward, the spinner’s technique has now been cleared twice by the ICC.
Tariq proved his bowling elbow does not extend beyond the 15 degree limit permitted by the ICC. He was forced to defend his action after the ILT20 final earlier this year. And suggestions he was ‘chucking’ have caused a storm on social media.
Pakistan fans are not happy Green was mocking Tariq and suggested it was unsportsmanlike from the Aussie after his dismissal. Others want the ICC to have another look at Tariq’s action. Either way, cricket fans are in meltdown over the drama ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Australia struggle ahead of T20 World Cup
Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett saw Green’s reaction, but didn’t elaborate after claiming he was getting ready to go out and bat. “I have no idea,” Bartlett said when asked about Green’s reaction. “I walked out there and there were tough conditions with all the spinners. I’m not even sure who he got out to because I was trying to scramble to put my pads on.”
Captain Mitch Marsh admitted Australia have plenty of work to do as they build-up to their opening World Cup match next month. There are concerns over Australia’s batting having struggled against Pakistan’s spin bowlers in the first two T20s. And conditions could also favour spin next month in Sri Lanka and India for the World Cup.
“Pakistan outplayed us. Hopefully we can improve and come back tomorrow,” Marsh said. “We have got experienced guys who know that partnerships are really important in run-chases. We were not able to do that today. So some really good lessons,” he said.