Sun | Jul 26, 2026

Strauss lauds Dhoni

Published:Tuesday | August 2, 2011 | 12:00 AM
England's Stuart Broad (right) walks from the pitch with teammates after their team's win over India on the fourth day of their cricket Test match at Trent Bridge cricket ground, Nottingham, England, yesterday. Broad produced a fine allround performance in the match with a half century and eight wickets. - AP

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP):

England captain Andrew Strauss has praised his India counterpart, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for recalling Ian Bell after a contentious runout decision in the second Test, saying the move was "good for the game of cricket.''

India reinstated Bell after he had walked off the field believing incorrectly that the afternoon session Sunday at Trent Bridge was over. On 137 at the time, it was a sporting decision because Bell had helped to take the match away from India.

Strauss praised the move yesterday after England had won by 319 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

"I think it was good for the game of cricket,'' Strauss said. "And I think in years to come, it will be looked on as a step in the right direction for the game of cricket.''

"I think when it first happened there was obviously a lot of confusion. Myself and Andy (Flower, England's coach) went down to the umpires' dressing room and just wanted to clarify the situation in the laws of the game, and we were entirely comfortable that in the strict terms of the rules of the game, Ian Bell was out.''

Strauss, however, said Bell had made a genuine error.

"We felt that it was pretty clear he was just walking off for tea,'' Strauss said. "He wasn't attempting a run, and so, we asked India to reconsider their appeal and then left it at that. I think it's very commendable that they changed their mind and took back the appeal.

"The rules are that he was out, we're not disputing that. But I think one of the things that sets the game of cricket apart is that you have the opportunity to show some spirit. Hopefully, other captains will make similar decisions in the future and cricket will be the better for it.''

Dhoni confirmed Strauss had personally thanked him before the start of play yesterday.

"Andrew came up to me when we were warming up, so he did appreciate the gesture,'' Dhoni said. "According to the laws of the game, he was out. But as a team, we felt it was something we didn't really feel good about at heart.''

Dhoni called for other captains to follow his lead - not just for run outs.