India get past Australia in first big test of Cricket World Cup but bails not coming off again overshadows win

DAVID WARNER was saved when his bails did not fall off – but Australia still crashed to their first World Cup defeat. The Aussies were swept aside by 36 runs at the Oval as India once more displayed their impressive credentials. Warner enjoyed his slice of luck when he chopped a ball from Jasprit Bumrah […]

DAVID WARNER was saved when his bails did not fall off – but Australia still crashed to their first World Cup defeat.

The Aussies were swept aside by 36 runs at the Oval as India once more displayed their impressive credentials.

AFP

Warner enjoyed his slice of luck when he chopped a ball from Jasprit Bumrah hard onto his stumps via his bat and boot – but the bails failed to dislodge.

Incredibly, it is the fifth time in the tournament the zing bails, which light up in red when disturbed, have remained in place when the stumps were struck.

Warner had scored just one and went on make 56. But his innings spanned 84 deliveries so he probably harmed his team’s chances rather than helped them.

The problem is the stump grooves are deeper than normal and the stumps themselves are heavy and rigid because of the wiring.

AP:Associated Press

Reuters

Aussie captain Aaron Finch said: “It’s becoming an issue. We were on the right side of it but the ball hit the stumps quite hard and it seems to be happening more and more.

“You’d hate to see something like that in the final or semi-final after you’d worked hard to dismiss a batsman and are not rewarded.”

India’s Virat Kohli added: “It’s definitely needs looking at. It’s not something you expect at international level. These are fast bowlers hitting the stumps, not medium-pacers. You literally have to smash the stumps for the bails to come off.”

With opener Shikhar Dhawan making 117, Virat Kohli 82 and Hardik Pandya 48 from just 27 deliveries, India piled up 352-5 in 50 overs.

It delighted the crowd in South London which, according to official figures, contained 40 times as many Indian supporters as Australians.

Steve Smith made 69 but he chewed up 70 balls and the Aussies fell fatally behind the required rate.

Kohli encouraged the crowd to clap Smith rather than boo him when he fielded on the boundary.

Spin bowler Adam Zampa aroused some suspicion on social media when pictures showed him reaching into his pocket before bowling.

But Finch revealed he was using a hand warmer.