David Graveney Defends England Over Ill Tempered Second Test
2nd Aug 2007The selector David Graveney has defended England over accusations that players crossed the line in their tactics in the ill tempered second test against India. Having lost the second test England were then accused of throwing Jelly beans onto the wicket as Zaheer Khan batted in the first innings, but skipper Michael Vaughan has defended his team. This row however was just one of a number of disputes between the two teams.
Speaking on Radio Four's Today programme, Graveney defended England against claims that the side had gone too far in their tactics. When asked if he thought this was the case, he replied: "No, I don't."
"I don't think it was particularly different from any other Test match."
Graveney, however, did go on to say:
"There were issues on both sides."
"You've got people bowling beamers, you've got people going across the crease."
But he did then say that "everybody seemed to shake hands" at the end of the match.
Sree Santh of India was fined half his match fee after barging Micheal Vaughan, but this all adds to the fact the the third and final test at the Oval will prove to be an exciting one as England attempt to level the series. England are 1-0 down after drawing the first test and then losing the second.
Graveney then went on to state:
"Obviously they have got to be careful they don't go across the line but I can imagine The Oval is going to be a really full-on contest."
