Wade obstructing Mark Wood
Buttler about Wade: At the new Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday against England. Australia batter Matthew Wade was inches away from being declared out for field obstruction.
Wade top-edged a shortish delivery from England pacer Mark Wood during the incident, which took place in the third ball of Australia’s 17th over in the second innings.
But as soon as the ball rose straight up, both the bowler and the keeper sprinted over to capture it. Wade, however, obstructed Wood by pushing him.
When the incident occurred, Australia was 170 for 5, requiring 39 off 23 balls, and the series opener serves as a sort of warm-up for the T20 World Cup, which is around the corner.
Buttler’s lack of appeal
While Wade survived and required a new helmet, Buttler was asked by the on-field umpires if he wanted to appeal. However, he rejected to appeal. Although there was much uncertainty among the players and the 25,000 spectators in the Stadium, the incident was somewhat muted by Buttler’s lack of appeal in England’s opening match on Australian soil.
Buttler’s reply after the match
“It was hard because I didn’t know what I was appealing for,” he said. “I could have asked some of the other boys to see if they had a better view but thought I would get on with the game. Maybe I should have asked a few of the lads.”
Buttler went on to tell how he enjoyed the first game, he quoted saying “It was a great game of cricket and I was delighted to go over the line. They played outstandingly and put us under pressure (on Australia), it was important for us to take wickets, which is what Wood and Curran did.”
He concluded by saying “I was looking at the ball and didn’t notice what exactly happened. You are always unsure about it (on his return after a long layoff). It was nice to get a boundary early on and that settled things a bit. Alex (Hales) has a fantastic record in Australia (playing in the BBL), Salt did well in his chances. But we felt that Alex was the man at the top in Australia and for the upcoming World Cup.”
Turning point: Australia Losing Wade in the final over
Wade, won the T20 World Cup last year for his ability to end innings. Threatened to lead Australia to victory after surviving the incident, but he holed out in the final over. Causing the host team to lose the first international match in Perth in over three years. It was Wade’s first dismissal in a chase since August 2021.
