Joe Root led Yorkshire show admirable sportsman spirit in T20 Blast
In the history of cricket, we have come across many incidences where the humility and spirit of cricket of players got tested. Incidences of Mankading or close run-outs always sparks the spirit of cricket debate in the cricket fraternity. However, one act of sportsmanship caught the eyes of fans in the T20 Blast game.
Joe Root-led Yorkshire decided not to run out an injured player while taking a run. This incident happened in the 18th over of Lancashire innings, when they needed only 15 runs off 18 deliveries. Lancashire had five wickets in hand at the time run attempt. When striker Luke Wells tried to take a single on delivery of Matthew Waite, non-striker Steven Croft suffered a sudden injury at mid-way of the pitch due to cramp.
When he fell on the ground, Yorkshire wicket-keeper collects the ball, however, Yorkshire team members decided not to run out the wounded batsman. They asked the umpire to stop the game and call the medical team for treatment of the batsman on the ground.
Excellent from @YorkshireCCC pic.twitter.com/xJnv7qzlax
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 17, 2021
VVS Laxman hailed skipper Joe Root for the act
This act attracts the attention of cricket fans across the globe. The former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman also lauded the Yorkshire squad and their skipper Joe Root for the incredible act of their sportsman spirit. He tweeted, “Excellent demonstration of sportsman spirit from @root66.Such a wonderful role model” with the video of the incident.
Excellent demonstration of sportsman spirit from @root66 . Such a wonderful role model. https://t.co/WCiBVJjqAL
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 18, 2021
After the game, skipper Joe Root said to Cricket.com.au, “As a side, we made a very difficult decision under pressure. (Croft’s injury) looked very serious at first glance. In many ways, it was a relief. It was nothing serious. I am sure there will be many different opinions. Many people would have handled it differently.”
Injured batsman Steven Croft also praised the Yorkshire team for the amazing act of sportsmanship, “.Two games in two days at 36 (years old) and a bit of sun has done me. I put the brakes on, they worked, and my legs just cramped up. I didn’t know where the ball had gone. They could have taken the bails off and credit to them that they didn’t.”
Lancashire booked a spot in the quarter-finals with the win
As Lancashire needed only 15 runs off 18 balls with five wickets in hand, they won the match comfortably in the penultimate over. The concerned batsman Steven Croft finished the game with an unbeaten score of 26 runs off 29 deliveries while Luke Wells got out on the score 30 runs off 37 balls.
Lancashire qualified for the quarter-finals of Vitality Blast with this win whereas, Yorkshire already secured their position in the quarter-final in their previous game. Lancashire reached the second spot in points table of Vitality Blast while Yorkshire slipped to the third position.
