Ben Stokes denies James Anderson’s claims of former asking umpire to “cancel four overthrows”
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After James Anderson’s claims of Ben Stokes asking the umpire to cancel four overthrows, the latter has revealed that he never asked the umpire to do so. However, the English all-rounder has added that he said “I’m Sorry” to both Tom Latham, who effected the throw, and Kane Williamson.
Towards the fag end of the final, England were awarded four overthrows when the ball deflected off Stokes's bat while he dived into the crease, and in total, England were awarded six runs in a controverisal manner. While that took the sheen away from England’s maiden World Cup victory, James Anderson, trying to salvage the situation, had come forward to say that Stokes asked the umpires to overturn their decision. However, Stokes now cleared the air saying he never asked the umpire to do so.
"I saw all of that. I was thinking to myself, did I say that? But hand on heart, I did not go up to the umpires and say something like that to the umpires," he said in the latest episode of BBC podcast.
"I went straight to Tom Latham and said 'Mate, I am so sorry', looked over to Kane (Williamson) and said 'I'm sorry'," he added.
Kumar Dharmasena was targeted for his controversial overthrow call and was subject of many social media trolls. However, he had accepted his mistake but said that he didn't regret the decision. ICC General Manager Geoff Allardice has, however, made it clear that the Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee will also be discussing issues relating to the World Cup final, including the controversial boundary count-back rule, in their next meeting in the first quarter of 2020.
