"One of the best things I've ever seen," Justin Langer backs Warner amid 'spirit of the game' debate

Australia’s head coach Justin Langer has thrown his weight behind David Warner, who has been in the eye of the storm for hitting a big six off Mohammad Hafeez in the semi-final against Pakistan. He had bowled a rank long hop that bounced twice before the batsman stepped out of the pitch to reach the ball to hit it for a six.

Many former cricketers have taken a dig at Warner and other former Australian players calling the shot “unsportsmanlike” and against the spirit of the game but for Langer, the shot was “one of the best things” he has ever seen in the game of cricket. He said that no cricketer can have the instinct to hit such balls and the ability to hit them for such a long distance.

He also said that the shot was well within Warner’s right as a batsman on the crease and people questioning his sportsmanship should also see him walking when he felt he edged the ball to the wicketkeeper to put things in perspective.

"Oh my gosh, it's one of the best things I've ever seen in the game of cricket," the enthusiastic Australia coach said. “I can't believe anyone would have the instincts to do that - it was unbelievable. In fact, most people probably would've been not sure what to do ... it was a no-ball and to have the talent and ability to hit it for six - unbelievable."

"Anyone who thinks (that six was) unsportsmanlike, that (walking) probably evens it up a bit.”

Australia defeated Pakistan in the second semi-final of the tournament and Warner played a key role in giving them early momentum with the bat while Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis used all their muscle power to lead them into the final against New Zealand.

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T20 World Cup | ICC announces match officials for Australia-New Zealand final

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Joe Root have ‘all options on the table’ as Stokes, Broad look ‘promising’ for first Ashes Test

England skipper Joe Root has said that one of the most discussed names in the squad for the upcoming Ashes series, Ben Stokes would be fit for the first Test of the series starting December 08 at Gabba in Brisbane. Root said Stokes has looked “promising” and he should be fit and raring to go for the first Test that will set the tone for a highly-anticipated Ashes series. "I really hope so," Root responded to the question on Stokes’ availability for the first Test. "It's been remarkable to see how far he's come. It looks very promising. He's been brilliant. We've seen him at training, having him back amongst things is always great, so it's really nice to have him back involved." Notably, Stokes was not part of the initial squad for the series and he was added into it after he declared his readiness to come back from an “indefinite break” from the game due to a complicated finger injury and mental health issues. Joe Root also addressed the concerns over Stuart Broad’s fitness. Who missed the last three Tests of the series against India and would have missed the final one as well had Covid-19 not disrupted the series. He said that Broad is bowling in the nets and is slowly getting on to the path of return towards full fitness. He ruled that bowlers are pulling up nicely and all should be ready for the first Test to give him “all options on the table”. "He bowled today in the nets again, very light workloads at the minute, but it's good to see him back in and around things, and being able to get into it," Root said. "It's about getting those workloads back up again, with all the bowlers really, making sure that they are absolutely ready to go for that first Test match. We've got all options on the table." It will be Joe Root’s second chance at winning the Ashes series in Australia as the captain of the England side. He had also led the side in the 2017-18 series but Australia were too strong for them and they ended up losing the series 3-1.

T20 World Cup | David Warner faces criticism for not showing ‘spirit of the game’ against Pakistan

Australia opener David Warner has faced some criticism after he hit a six against Mohammad Hafeez in the 8th over. Hafeez lost his control of the ball and it bounced near his foot first and then took another bounce before Warner smacked it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir criticised Warner for the stroke as he took to Twitter and questioned the spirit of the game by the batter. “What an absolutely pathetic display of spirit of the game by Warner! #Shameful What say Ashwin?” Gambhir wrote on Twitter. Warner eventually scored 49 off 30 which included three maximums and as many fours during the course. Chasing 177 in 20 overs, Australia were in a spot of bother after being reduced to 96/5 before Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade joined hands and provided the much-needed resistance. The two batsmen put on an unbeaten stand of 81 runs for the sixth wicket with Stoinis scoring 40* off 31 and Wade chipping in with a brisk 17-ball 41*. Wade struck three sixes on the trot in the penultimate over of the innings to see his side home. Australia will now play the final against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.

After exclusion from Test squad, Hanuma Vihari finds place in India A squad for South Africa tour

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