Did Sri Lanka play foul?

This is not easy to answer.

The Aussies vehemently claim that spirit of the game is not beyond or above the rules.... anything legal can not be construed wrong in the garb of being contrary to spirit.

If we accept the above argument, then there is nothing like spirit of the game.

The Srilankans can be blamed for trying to bypass the rules even though nothing illegal was done, but I would agree that the particular rule is really harsh and not quite in tandem with the ground reality of the game.... in such circumstances, what is really needed is to reframe the rules to make them more in tune with the reality. I think the punishment for slow over rates should be pecuniary only and never any ban of the captain or any other player..... the ban should only be in an extreme case where the Captain is clearly seen as delaying in order to take benefit of rendering the match inconclusive while facing defeat which in T-20 seems inapplicable.

Absolutely not! it's real simple. SL has all the right to chose whoever the captain they want. And that was what exactly they did. It was well within the rules.

If SL did something completely unorthodox such as giving the captaincy to someone like Thirimanne to make sure that if there was a suspension, no top player was gonna be a victim then that would have been completely against the sportsmanship of the game. But they didn't do that.

On this case, was there a suspension still Sl would have missed Sangakkara another top player. So a smart move without breaking the sportsmanship of the game.

Ironically, Sangakkarra made a big azz speech about the 'Spirit of cricket' last year (or what it this year?).

Stuart broad was also warned about his over-rate, yet he didn't pull such a d*ckhead move. I understand that it is well withing the rules. What fans need to understand is doing something because it well within the rules doesn't automatically make it the right thing to do. A very good example is when a bowler bowls a dead ball, the runs taken in that ball don't count. How is that fair on the batsmen who was no fault whatsoever?. If a captain can't maintain the over-rate like all other captains do, then just take it on the chin and pay the fine, or not captain at all (doesn't include having a dummy captain in a official capacity).

Finally, I think too much of a deal has been made out of this scenario. Sri lanka won convincingly, and by the end of tonight we'll have our Semi match ups. Lets just enjoy some quality cricket.

If you remember India's win against England, it was over-emphatic. I thought that England were not that bad, as much as they made it look like but that loss got them in the 2nd group. Broad was gushing after the match that it doesn't make any difference to them, as they are off to Super 8's.

If you look at that effort, nothing was made of it in the press or otherwise.

Mahela checked with ICC first & then went ahead with this ploy.

Why is it cheating then, if he is moving well within prevalent rules, which allowed him to do so.

On the other hand, many Tennis players, playing as individuals or football teams, get heavily penalized, where they are reported for not making enough efforts, in a loss.

So S.L. & Mahela were well within their rights & a word like cheating should not be used, till the rules allow them to do so. It should be considered as a smart move, on a very small degree, than England's, which ultimately backfired..

It was smart cricket on the part of SL. Nothing against the spirit of the game. How often do we see basketballers with two fouls getting benched. Same diff.

BQ: not harsh to penalise. The rules apply equally to all, if one team steps out and takes longer to set fields etc they gain an advantage that should be penalised.

If it is within the rules, then how can you possibly call foul?

Seems like many people on here, from a certain country cry foul at any opportunity.

The penalties for slow over rate , are not harsh at all. EVERY Captain knows the penalties.

In recent history, I know of only one that missed games twice due to slow over rate.

It probably is a bit harsh, but rules are rules and if you can't abide by them you suffer the known consequences.

I read that the West Indies last night fielded a few great fielders in place of a few ordinary fielders when they faked injury in the super over. That would be a bit wrong of them to do such thing if it really happened, but like Sri Lanka was fiddling with the rules, so were the West Indies in that instance. Heaps of teams push the boundaries with the rules.

I think what FIFA did that cards before knockout won't be applied on semi so ICC should change their rules to cope with this kind problem otherwise rules which is unjustified will always face loopholes where it could be manipulated

Srilanka did what was best for them not for a silly rule from ICC but its a brave thing to admit it so we should appreciate this

Yet another reason why cricket won't become a global sport. Way too many loopholes in the system

Yes, sometimes Sri Lanka plays fault.