Gill-Crawley row: Tim Southee calls out India's 'double standards' at Lord's

The drama, of the kind cricket fans live for, is now unfolding at Lord's. Day 3 of the third India vs England Test saw tempers flare as Shubman Gill confronted Zak Crawley. The English batter’s attempts to stall the proceedings irritated Gill, who was leading the bowling side near the close of play. With the captain aiming to squeeze in at least two more overs, Crawley’s repeated delays came off as deliberate, turning the tension into a full-blown verbal exchange. At the end of the day's play, former New Zealand captain and now England’s bowling coach, Tim Southee, responded to Gill’s outburst against Crawley.

Tim Southee hits back at Shubman Gill at the close of Day 3 of the Lord's Test

India, lifted by the century of KL Rahul and counterattacking knocks from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, drew level with the hosts. The visitors managed to post 387 by Day 3, the exact total England had put up batting first in the Lord's Test. By the time India’s innings concluded, only a few minutes remained before stumps. However, the hosts didn’t appear eager to bat even briefly, as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett hesitantly came out to face Jasprit Bumrah.

Crawley halted the game multiple times during the first over, drawing the ire of Shubman Gill. The drama unfolded early in Jasprit Bumrah’s over, when Zak Crawley backed off from facing the third delivery due to some movement near the sight screen. Clearly annoyed, Shubman Gill lashed out at the batter, saying, “Grow some f***ing balls.” Just two deliveries later, Crawley was hit on the glove by a length ball and signaled for medical help. As the Indian fielders walked past him, some offered mocking applause, while Gill took it a step further, engaging in a tense verbal spat with the English opener.

Following the end of the day's play, England's bowling coach Tim Southee addressed the media. The former Kiwi skipper was mockingly asked if Crawley’s hand was doing fine. While Southee smiled in response, he didn’t hold back from commenting on Gill’s actions. He recalled the instance on Day 2 when Shubman Gill halted play to receive on-field assistance for his back while fielding.

"It's always exciting to see both sides animated towards the end. I'm not sure what they were complaining about when Shubman Gill was lying down getting a massage in the middle of the day yesterday. It's obviously part of the game [when] you're near the end of the day. It's an exciting way to finish the day," Southee said.

Further in his assessment of the conditions, Southee highlighted the high spirits of both teams in the contest. The coach informed that Crawley would be monitored overnight to gauge the extent of his injury. Moreover, the English coach addressed the slow overrate that has persisted in the Lord's Test. With the Dukes ball consistently troubling the bowling side by losing its shape too early, the third India vs England Test has lost as many as 32 overs.

"Both sides have played some good cricket and in a good spirit, and tonight was just a bit of energy towards the end of the day," he said. "It's been a long three days, and it was good to see the energy still there from both sides."