'Pathetic' act of poor sportsmanship shocks cricket world
An English cricketer has had what could’ve been a special moment in his career ruined by a ‘pathetic’ act from a rival bowler.
Jay Darrell was competing in a second grade Somerset Cricket League one-dayer for Minehead CC against Purnell CC, when he racked up a huge score.
Chasing 280 for victory, Darrell had entered the fray with his side at 3/116, and immediately set about whittling away the deficit.
Soon Darrell found himself within a shot of his first century in the competition, on 95 runs.
However, what could have been a special moment for the young man was brutally ruined by a Purnell bowler.
With two runs needed for Minehead to earn victory, the Purnell bowler intentionally threw the ball straight over the boundary line, ending the match and destroying any hope of a century for Darrell.
The bowler then allegedly laughed at the incident, while his teammates, and of course the Minehead players, were disgusted.
Iv played & seen a lot of cricket in my time and Iv never seen anything like that before @MineheadCricket 2s. A young lad on for his first league 💯 and the bowler throws in over the ropes 🙈 and then laughs about it. Credit to his team they were just as disgusted.
— Roo Woodward (@razziabou) August 4, 2018
The Minehead Cricket Club responded to the incident on Twitter, saying the opposition captain had apologised for the unsavoury incident.
Not nice to see. But more to the point, a great innings and a great win. Respect to the @purnellcc captain who apologised to the batsman on behalf of his bowler. But some things just can't be undone 🙁 https://t.co/Sqip8nEQRz
— MineheadCricketClub (@MineheadCricket) August 4, 2018
Our 1st XI were well beaten today by @MineheadCricket. The unsavoury scenes to end the game can’t be condoned & both the Captain & the player made full & sincere apologies to those involved after the game. The incident will be dealt with internally by the Club.
— Purnell Cricket Club (@purnellcc) August 4, 2018
Unsurprisingly, onlookers were blowing up on Twitter upon hearing the news, with some slamming the club of Purnell for not appropriately dealing with the matter.
As usual, British media figure Piers Morgan led the charge.
SERIOUSLY?
How utterly pathetic. Shame on you @purnellcc. https://t.co/jSryH4FP1t— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 4, 2018
Disgusting lack of sportsmanship
— Ian McRae (@Boomah) August 5, 2018
Always been a joke club with joke people
— Jamie Elsworth (@Jamie_E135) August 4, 2018
Unless the punishment is removing him from your Club, Then you would be condoning it. #disgraceful @robkey612
— Nick Hill (@festerted) August 4, 2018
So much for “friendly” Club
— Rupert Cox (@rupert_rbw) August 5, 2018
Hope someone runs himself out to stop him getting his best figures what goes around comes around
— Martin Harvey (@martinharvey251) August 5, 2018
Thankfully, Jay Darrell himself was ready to move on from the incident, as he took to Twitter to thank his followers for their support.
Hell of game today shame the way it ended but oh well!!! Thanks for all the support today!! #UTP #Mineheadcc #litter
— Jay Darrell (@JayDarrell1) August 4, 2018