/ 18 May 2009

McCullum reprimanded after last-over fury

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Brendon McCullum was severely reprimanded on Sunday for showing dissent during an Indian Premier League (IPL) defeat by the Deccan Chargers.

The 27-year-old New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman lost his temper in the final over of a thriller at the Wanderers on Saturday as Deccan chased a 161-run target. The outburst led to a hearing chaired by the match referee.

McCullum was furious when the first delivery of the over was declared a no ball because bottom-of-the-table Kolkata did not have sufficient fielders in the circle.

The decision stood and Deccan snatched a six-wicket victory in one of the most exciting matches of the second IPL season when Rohit Sharma struck a six off the final ball.

McCullum, whose team have managed just one win and three points in 12 games at the Twenty20 extravaganza, later apologised for his reaction against the umpires.

”My reaction out there was purely emotional and I wish to apologise. It is not easy being in a team that has lost a lot of tight matches,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony. — Sapa-AFP