Spitting allegations sour tri-series final

Tensions threatened to boil over in the final of the one-day ‘A’ tri-series at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with allegations of spitting levelled at India A’s Sanju Samson.

The home team’s impressive run chase was soured by a number of heated exchanges as Gurkeerat Singh’s unbeaten 87 from 85 balls guided India A to a four-wicket victory.

The frustration displayed by the Australia A players spilled over into Usman Khawaja’s post-match press conference when he was questioned about the verbal altercations.

The Australia A skipper didn’t hold back as he accused Samson of deliberately spitting near the tourists during the final.

Khawaja claimed the animosity between the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman and the Australians started in their August 7 clash when Samson tried to claim a catch that replays showed fell short.

“Obviously the guys are a bit disappointed that he claimed a catch in the first match that wasn’t a catch, it bounced a foot short,” Khawaja told reporters after play.

“Today it would have died down quicker, but he proceeded to spit in front of our players’ feet three times, so as soon as you do that the boys are going to get revved up.

“We were trying to explain it to the umpires and they weren’t really understanding.

“I tried to take control of the situation and calm the boys down a little bit, but that’s just not on.

“I’m happy if the batsman wants to talk back, let the boys talk, but spitting is not on.”

Khawaja said there was an altercation as Samson walked out to bat with the match still in the balance, and while the vision wasn’t shown on the broadcast, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg picked up on the incident in his role as commentator for Star Sports.

“I saw something happening when Sanju Samson came to the crease,” Hogg said on air.

“The umpire came in between Sanju Samson and Singh with Chris Lynn.

“When Chris Lynn is involved I’m a little bit sceptical, because he’s not the one to open his mouth too much.”

The numerous exchanges didn’t appear to rattle the hosts as Gurkeerat hit Adam Zampa for 16 runs from the first three balls of the 44^th over to seal victory with 39 balls to spare.

“Actually I didn’t even know,” said man of the match Gurkeerat.

“They were just talking and I did not hear. I have no idea about that.

“I think it’s their style of play and we have a different style of play and we should not get distracted by somebody saying something.”

Khawaja went on to say that he wasn’t trying to take the gloss off India A’s triumph after they bounced back from two previous defeats against Australia A to claim the spoils.

“I don’t want to make a big deal about things that happened on the field,” the 28-year-old said.

“I don’t want to take any credit away from India because they played really well today. They were the better team and they won, they beat us, it’s just unfortunate when incidents like that happen.”

The Australians now return home after their three-week tour stationed in Chennai.