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[tim2000s]

It comes back to what I mentioned earlier - Buttler was moving in accordance with the MCC rule (which we all play to week in and week out) and not to the ICC rule, which is "Stay in your crease until the point of delivery otherwise you can be out".

Is it within the spirit? Stealing a run isn't. Warning somebody about it is. Warning somebody about it multiple times definitely is. As a result of the circumstances, I think it is fair to say "Look, I've warned you multiple times. As you aren't going to listen, then I'm going to take the stumps and you will play no further part in this innings."

I really don't think there is any room for an argument about the spirit of cricket when the activity that started the whole process was the fault of the batsman that was undone here, who was already acting against the Spirit of Cricket.

[Manormanic]

Where was the spirit of cricket when Root clearly gloved it and stayed on till Sri Lankans reviewed?

Not really the same though is it?  The players have been taught to play to the whistle, to borrow a methaphor from the other game!

[Gingerbusiness]

Sorry mate but there's about a foot's advantage in Buttler backing up too far. If there was a run out chance and he was in by half a foot, then surely he gained an unfair advantage? And he had been warned.

I can see your point of view mate but as a bowler, it is not something I would ever consider UNLESS someone was taking the serious Michael by charging.

I understand the points about the spirit of cricket - and I agree about Root, Bell etc. However, we all accept those as that comes down to the umpire. We do not argue with umpires decisions.

I think the Mankading issue is that the bowler has done something outside of the normal operations of the game. As a bowler, I accept batsmen do not always walk (TBH I have not come across one this season who has walked!), I do not accept basically running out the non-striker in a way which represents the worst form of schoolboy cricket.

I know I will probably be seen as a hypocrite but the mankading type of dismissal, not the players, is disgraceful. It needs to go and be replaced with a 10 run penalty (or equivalent which isn't a wicket).

[Giraffe208]

Same thing in the end, he was gaining a foot or two unfairly and that much can make a big difference to a batsman getting run out or not. Eventually can decide the fate of a game. So it was Butler who was not playing within the spirit of the game by gaining unfair advantage.

Where was the spirit of cricket when Root clearly gloved it and stayed on till Sri Lankans reviewed?

Where was the spirit of cricket when England snatched Sri Lankans head coach just before the England tour where it gave an unfair advantage of knowing sensitive inside tactics and informations of Sri Lankans? I didn't see anyone here exploding and calling it unethical or calling it not within spirit of the game.

So spirit of the game ? no not any more.

Agree Root was in the wrong but that's how cricket it is nowadays.

With regards to the 'Head Coach' issue you've brought up a couple of times now. Surely he was given the option to stay with Sri Lanka / move to employment within the ECB. I doubt anyone forced it to happen. I can only assume that in all lines of work that money talks. If someone approached me with the offer of employment with more money for a similar role (I appreciate it isn't exactly the same but humour me) then I would probably take it. He went out on a high with the T20 success and perhaps he felt that now was a good time for a new challenge? The current state of English cricket is definitely a challenge so what is the problem?

NB: I am not fully au fait with all the dealings but if were are any underhand tactics from the ECB I shall hold my hands up now

[Gingerbusiness]

Can't wait for league crickets this weekend, when someone tries to pull this off. It's good enough for international cricket so why not league cricket (different laws).

9 down, a few runs to win of the last over...non striker backing up too far, don't need to give a warning

That's the problem because in the club game, this would end in a scrap!

[Manormanic]

Lets be reasonable as regards Farbrace - he was offered a job byhis home country, of course he was going to want to take it.  Nothing underhand, and Sri LAnka really have no reason to be surprised!

[mini998]

Not really the same though is it?  The players have been taught to play to the whistle, to borrow a methaphor from the other game!

In fact it is, play within the rules and not worry about spirit of the game , because no one seems to be playing according to that these days.

You can't just pick and choose when to to play within the spirit of the game , you either do all the time or don't!
The whole series started with ill manners so you can't really complain now. Just stick to the rules.

[sgcricket]

I don't think the guys doing the testing at ICC are that dumb. They compare the action during the test to footage from the matches to see if it is the same. And the 15 degree change was made as they found that bowlers with model actions were also "chucking" as per the old laws. Just read what Michael Holding had to say. He was really surprised to find so many bowlers' actions are illegal based on the old laws.

Anyway very difficult to argue logic when people have made up their minds.

[tim2000s]

On the subject of Senanayake, he was previously reported in 2011, and underwent a load of work.

Suspicions had previously been raised about the legality of his action during a 2011 tour of England, with the Sri Lanka "A" team. Senanayake had then worked to remedy his action with Sri Lankan coaches, after which he underwent biomechanical testing in Perth. Those tests found his bowling to be within the legal limits.

Sri Lanka Cricket at the time gave a statement to the effect "He wasn't called for Chucking, but reported for a 'Suspect bowling action'".

Very few people picked up on it at the time as it was Sri Lanka "A", but if there was a lot of work done to get him to pass the tests three years ago, there is clearly room for suspicion.

[Manormanic]

In fact it is, play within the rules and not worry about spirit of the game , because no one seems to be playing according to that these days.

No, its not. 

The Spirit of the game requires that players respect the decision of the Umpire - Root was given not out and respected that until it was challenged and overturned - which was precisely what players should do because, as has been discussed at length, they can't always be sure themselves that the Umpire was wrong to give them not out.

There is a big difference between that and looking to do a pickpocket job!

[mini998]

With regards to the 'Head Coach' issue you've brought up a couple of times now. Surely he was given the option to stay with Sri Lanka / move to employment within the ECB. I doubt anyone forced it to happen. I can only assume that in all lines of work that money talks. If someone approached me with the offer of employment with more money for a similar role (I appreciate it isn't exactly the same but humour me) then I would probably take it. He went out on a high with the T20 success and perhaps he felt that now was a good time for a new challenge? The current state of English cricket is definitely a challenge so what is the problem?

Exactly my point , If England wanted to stay within the spirit of the game and still wanted to hire  Farbrace then they could have

1. Offer the job after the series
 
or

2.Hire him but sit him out of Sri Lanka series to play fair.

I don't think I have to explain how crucial it is for a head coach to jump sides just before an important series like this (it was important series at least for Sri Lankans) .

He knew most of the strengths and weaknesses about current SL players , he was the one SL players trusted to discuss their strengths and weaknesses only two- three weeks ago. So now he is sitting in England dressing room and feeding all that info to the opposition.

He knows about recent inside team tactics which Sri Lankan team use in crunch situations, now he is feeding that information to English players.

Timing was too soon for him to change sides , so it was highly unethical and not within the spirit of the game , but still within rules and that is how things works in professional sports these days.

That was the point I was trying to make.

[trypewriter]

It comes back to what I mentioned earlier - Buttler was moving in accordance with the MCC rule (which we all play to week in and week out) and not to the ICC rule, which is "Stay in your crease until the point of delivery otherwise you can be out".

Does this mean in ICC matches you can't drag your bat/have your bat in the crease but your feet out of it?

[mini998]

No, its not. 

The Spirit of the game requires that players respect the decision of the Umpire - Root was given not out and respected that until it was challenged and overturned - which was precisely what players should do because, as has been discussed at length, they can't always be sure themselves that the Umpire was wrong to give them not out.

There is a big difference between that and looking to do a pickpocket job!

Wrong again, it was within the rules and clearly stated in books. so not pick pocketing.

And for Root, he literally punched the ball right in front of his eyes and still didn't walk.

[FattusCattus]

what are your credentials to say he needs to learn how to bowl?you are at best a sorry old man who drops some half trackers on gloomy Saturday evenings

I think it's nice that you wish to defend the actions and reputation of your country in such a way - sadly your choice to resort to personal comments about the other poster above says more about you.

After all, no-one on here has called you an idiot for posting in such a reactionary way have they?

[WillyorWonty]

TEA storm CUP

A lot of chat avoiding what is simply a case of picking out the stars of the series, Jordan etc, giving them a fair chance in the Test side, removing those  not performing after a decent spell in the side, Morgan etc and then filling the vacant spots with talent from the counties and making sure they have a good run to establish themselves, Hales etc.