They’re Just Fluffing Around: Shane Warne Lambasts India On Slow Over-Rates

Former Australian spinner-turned commentator Shane Warne has come down hard on Virat Kohli’s Team India after the tourists took a barely believable four hours and six minutes to complete their quota of 50 overs in the first ODI of the three-match series at Sydney.

The over-rates from both sides were outrageous from both sides but India’s attempt to complete their quota was even more outrageous as the Men in Blue took an hour extra to finish their bowling effort despite taking all the breaks into contention.

The tourists were handed a 20 percent fine for the offense after skipper Virat Kohli pleaded guilty for the same.

Commenting on the appalling over-rates by India, Shane Warne, during Fox Cricket pre-match show said that the real issue behind the slow over-rates waste the fact that the Indians were just ‘fluffing around’ in the field despite the fact that the batsman was ‘just about ready’

“I don’t think it’s so much bowling the overs, it is more or less in between overs fluffing around. The batsman is just about ready… why isn’t the bowler back to the top of his mark waiting? The batsman is ready. They’re just fluffing around,” Shane Warne told Fox Cricket.

“The real issue is in-between overs, not getting back to your mark quick enough. Four hours and six minutes [the length of India’s fielding innings] was ridiculous, and you see that – that’s why it takes four hours and six minutes. That shouldn’t be happening, you should be running around to your spot. It’s a summer sport, it’s hot, it’s going to be hot and unfortunately, you’re fielding first.” he added.

Not only India, but Australia too were guilty of breaching the scheduled time for bowling their quota of 50 overs with Aaron Finch resorting to bowling spinners in order to speed up the game.

In the second ODI too, India was once again guilty of being too slow in completing the 50 overs. However, it wasn’t as bad as it was in the first game.