With South Africa knocked out of the tournament, there is a controversy that is brewing thanks to a decision taken by Andrew Strauss. Strauss had disallowed opposite captain Graeme Smith from going for a substitute runner during the closing stages of the game, and in the end, the Proteas went on to lose the game.
When quizzed about the same, Strauss made no bones about the fact that one does not get runners for suffering from cramps because that is not an injury. According to Strauss, cramps are brought about by tiredness, which is something to do with the preparations.
According to Smith, it was a tad inconsistent from what has been happening in the past where batsmen have been allowed that luxury. Smith also said that the decision to disallow him the runner would have been brought about by the criticism on Strauss for calling Angelo Mathews back in the previous game. Strauss however, said that the decision had nothing to do with the previous game’s incident.
Strauss thought that even the umpires are against the use of runners for no rhyme or reason. He also said that it was left to the ICC to resolve the issue of allowing runners for cramps or otherwise.
South Africa lost the game to England to crash out of the tournament in the very first round.