The Ashes 2013 - First Test, Trent Bridge: Five talking points for Day 3

3. Should Broad have walked?

There was a bit of context to the entire controversy that centred around the Stuart Broad ‘dismissal’. Australia would have realized that the clock was ticking like a time-bomb for them as every run added made the eventual task of batting in the fourth innings more daunting for them. This was evident in the excessive appealing as well as in the body language of the players after the fateful delivery.

Stuart Broad edged (read: almost middled) a delivery from Ashton Agar when England led by 232 runs. The ball was deflected by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin’s gloves prior to being caught by Michael Clarke. Stuart Broad, according to commentator David Lloyd, ‘had the audacity’ to walk to the other end of the pitch as if to have friendly banter with his colleague.

Aleem Dar’s shocking decision could not be reviewed as Australia had already exhausted their allotted quota. The ghost of this incident is likely to hover around the Test match. If the ‘spirit of the game’ exists, it was unquestionably violated in that incident and yet no laws were broken. Ah, the tricks that cricket plays!