Clarke downplays Dar confrontation

Australia captain Michael Clarke reflected on a confrontational end to the Ashes series, after Sunday's rain-affected draw at The Oval in London capped a three-nil win for England.
Australia captain Michael Clarke reflected on a confrontational end to the Ashes series, after Sunday's rain-affected draw at The Oval in London capped a three-nil win for England.
Clarke gathered plenty of admirers on the back of a bold declaration on the fifth and final day, after day four was completely lost to rain. The move, however, almost backfired – as the hosts came very close to reaching the target.
Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Aleem Dar, however, didn't allow the English the chance to chase the final 21 runs off four overs. Instead, bad light brought the five-match affair to its close.
"I can't remember what I said to him but I remember Aleem touching me, and I asked him politely to not touch me because if I touched him I'd be suspended for three matches," said Clarke.
"I just asked the question why we haven't got the meter out there and it took a few overs to get it out. That's all I can remember, coincidentally. From my point of view I have no issue, I just know a player is not allowed to touch an umpire, but for me personally I have no issue with it."
There was widespread disappointment – albeit not shared by the tourists – when the game was cut off so close to an unforgettable result, but Clarke suggested the abandonment could have come even earlier if previous light readings had been adhered to.
"Once they took the reading, I knew it was going to be darker than what it was in Manchester. I was batting at the time in Manchester and I knew it was going to be darker than what it was in Manchester," he added.
"There was no comparison. I'm not going to get into the numbers on the meters. I will probably get in trouble for it so I won't go into the number. For us, we just have to go by the umpires' call. If they think it is safe to keep playing then we keep playing.
"When you can see your own shadows, just going on what's happened in the past throughout this series, you know it's getting to around that time when umpires have consistently taken us off the field."
Latest
-
News
Steve Smith debate has been “blown up” says England all-rounder Chris Woakes
The former Australia captain was filmed scratching at the batting crease while fielding against India.
-
News
Moeen Ali coronavirus quarantine extended after mild symptoms
The England all-rounder is now unlikely to feature in England’s Test series in Sri Lanka.
-
News
Australia captain Tim Paine defends Steve Smith over guard incident
Smith was accused of deliberately scuffing away the guard of India batsman Rishabh Pant during the third Test in Sydney.
-
News
Australia go on the defensive over Steve Smith scuffing saga
Australia have closed ranks around Steve Smith, who is upset over being painted as a villain following the drawn third Test against India.
-
News
On This Day in 1996: Dickie Bird announces retirement from umpiring
Bird umpired in 66 Tests and 69 one-day internationals.
-
News
Dan Lawrence adamant he will stick to ‘unique’ batting technique in Test arena
The 23-year-old should make his Test debut when England start their two-match series against Sri Lanka.
-
News
Steve Smith criticised for appearing to scuff Rishabh Pant’s guard in third Test
Former Australia captain Steve Smith was branded “childish” after an incident during the final day of their drawn third Test against India
-
News
Tim Paine admits he let the Australian bowlers down
Australia captain Tim Paine believes he was at least partially to blame for his side failing to bowl India.
-
News
Testing times on tour in Sri Lanka – the life of an international cricketer
Gloucestershire’s James Bracey is on his first overseas tour with England. Here he writes about his experiences so far in Sri Lanka.
-
News
India salvage unlikely draw in third Test against Australia
India salvaged an unlikely draw as the third Test against Australia reached a thrilling finale.