England captain Heather Knight faced backlash on social media for what many termed as “disgraceful” and “classless” behavior after she refused to shake hands with the umpires during a rain-affected second T20I against Australia Women in Canberra. The match was called off with five balls remaining in England’s chase, handing Australia a victory via the DLS method.
Controversial Moment on the Field
England required 18 runs off the final five deliveries when heavy rain forced the umpires to stop play. At the time, England were six runs behind the DLS par score, resulting in Australia being declared the winners. When the umpires informed Knight and Australian captain Tahlia McGrath of the decision, Knight shook hands with her counterpart but pointedly refused to do so with the umpires, instead heading directly to her dugout.
Visibly upset, Knight, who was batting on a brilliant 43 off 19 balls, threw her bat to the ground before joining her teammates. She later exchanged handshakes with the Australian players and her own team but left the umpires waiting.
Fans React to Knight’s Behavior
The England captain’s actions drew sharp criticism online, with fans labeling her reaction as unsportsmanlike. Some pointed out the hypocrisy of England’s earlier willingness to leave the field during a rain delay when they were ahead of the DLS par score.
Knight Acknowledges Umpires Made the Right Call
After cooling down, Knight admitted the umpires made the correct decision to stop play. “It was absolutely the right call by the umpires,” Knight said in a post-match statement. “I was frustrated at the time because I was completely focused on trying to win the game for us. The conditions were slippery, and it was hard to run for twos. It was the right decision, 100%.”
Reflecting on the game, she added: “It was a brilliant contest. I felt I could have taken us over the line. It was disappointing not to finish the match, especially with such an amazing crowd who deserved a proper conclusion. I think their frustration mirrored ours.”
Match Summary
Australia opted to bat first after winning the toss. Opener Beth Mooney scored 44, and Georgia Voll contributed 5 runs to a 47-run opening stand before Voll was run out. Despite losing key batters Ellyse Perry (2) and Phoebe Litchfield (17), contributions from Tahlia McGrath (48*) and Grace Harris (35*) propelled Australia to a strong total of 185/5 in 20 overs.
Rain revised England’s target to 175 in 19.1 overs. Danni Wyatt (52) and Sophia Dunkley (32) provided a solid foundation, but regular wickets kept England under pressure. A 65-run partnership between Heather Knight (43*) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (22) brought England close, but disciplined bowling from Megan Schutt (2/32) and Kim Garth restricted them to 168/4, falling six runs short of the target.
Conclusion
Australia’s victory secured another memorable moment in the Ashes, while Knight’s emotional reaction drew attention to the high stakes and intensity of the contest. Despite the criticism, her acknowledgment of the umpires’ correct decision showcased sportsmanship in the aftermath of the heated encounter.
