Date:31/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/31/stories/2007033102842000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Peterson reprimanded

— Photo: AFP

GREAT ESCAPE: South Africa's Robin Peterson was lucky to be let off with a warning for knocking down the stumps to celebrate victory over Sri Lanka.

Georgetown: Robin Peterson was let off with a caution after smashing the stumps as he took the winning runs in South Africa's one-wicket World Cup win over Sri Lanka.

He was given an official reprimand by ICC match referee Jeff Crowe the morning after Wednesday's high-pressure win.

Peterson told Crowe that his intention was to swing the bat over the stumps but his spikes got caught on the pitch and he lost balance. Crowe did not impose a fine.

"The umpires expressed the view that there was no malice involved in his actions," Crowe said. "I accepted that it was a momentary mistake in the heat of the moment, an outpouring of relief after a tense and dramatic finish to the match."

Dismayed Sri Lankan fielders had asked Peterson why he demolished the stumps at the non-striker's end and he gave a similar explanation. — AP