Cricket: Jellybeangate - the Verdict

Jellybeangate - The Chucker's verdict - Much ado about nothing

Zaheer Kahn brandished his bat at the England slip cordon and later knocked half the England team over with a superb display of swing bowling, but why was he so wound up by Jelly beans on the pitch?

England skipper Michael Vaughan said: "The guys eat jelly beans, jelly babies, chewing gum on the pitch and that's what was brought out at drinks. There were a couple on the floor and I guess one of the players might have left them on the crease as a little bit of a prank for the new batsman."

Indian captain Rahul Dravid did not feel that players' antics crossed the line during the 2nd test (where Jellybeangate overshadowed not only a fantastic game, but several more worrying incidents of verbal and even physical aggression): ""If it was not crossed we were close to it in some cases, but it is a tough Test match between two close teams trying to win. I don't think at any stage it got very bad."

So neither of the Captains are worried about cricket losing it's soul after a few sweets were left on the popping crease, why should the press get their knickers in a twist? Personally I think it's been a wonderful series so far, two well matched teams, both have talented players and yet neither side could claim to be world-beaters just yet. Huge numbers of Indian fans are attending the games giving the Barmy army some competition and adding to the atmosphere. The Oval should provide a great finale. It's just a shame that the series in not being played out over 5 or 6 tests.