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'I did ask for it': Keeper's cheeky sledge backfires on live TV

chris young
Sports Reporter

Sledging a batsman is always a bit of a risk. You never know when they’ll make you look very silly.

It’s even riskier to sledge a batsman on live TV.

Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper found out the hard way after South Australia’s Tom Cooper got the better of him during their Marsh Cup clash on Tuesday.

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Harper, who was bantering away with Fox Sports commentary duo Andrew Symons and Mark Howard, decided to try and bait Cooper into an ill-advised shot.

With the Redbacks’ innings in its 43rd over, Harper suggested Cooper go for broke with a ramp shot against paceman Jonathon Merlo.

“Here we go. I’d love to see a ramp here from Coops,” he said, egged on by Symons in the commentary booth.

“You won’t do it, Coopsy,”

Unfortunately for Harper, Coopsy did do it, ramping the next delivery away for a boundary.

The Victorian keeper was suitably humbled afterwards, but took it in his stride.

“Cheeky bastard,” Harper said.

Tom Cooper made Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper look silly, after the gloveman tried to bait the batsman into a silly shot. Picture: Fox Sports
Tom Cooper made Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper look silly, after the gloveman tried to bait the batsman into a silly shot. Picture: Fox Sports

“I did ask for it and I got it.”

You get the feeling Harper might owe his fast bowler a shout for that one, particularly since Cooper ended up blasting an undefeated knock of 81.

'Deserved another chance': Shane Warne surprised with Test selection recall

Shane Warne said he was surprised Cameron Bancroft earned a Test recall after a lean run in the Sheffield Shield.

The spin-king was talking to reporters at the President’s Cup on Tuesday and offered his insight into why he thought Marcus Harris deserved a Test recall after a blistering start to the Shield.

Bancroft has struggled domestically scoring 59 runs at 11.80, while Harris has averaging 53.20.

This is despite the pair both struggling against the Duke ball during the Ashes.

Warne said Harris’ form warranted selection.

“I would’ve liked to see Marcus Harris there (in the squad), I thought he deserved another chance,” Warne told reporters.

“He's been in pretty good form too. Joe Burns, I like that selection.

“I’m a little surprised with Cameron Bancroft being in the squad.

“Whether he gets the nod, we’ll have to wait and see but I was a little surprised after his form in England.”