English all-rounder Ben Stokes lashed out at the authorities over the "stupid" size of boundary marking sponges at stadiums after Reece Topley was ruled out of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The triangular sponges offer advertising space, but Stokes urged the ICC to review the size and address player safety.
Stokes was left fuming after Topley tore his ankle by stepping on the boundary toe, which forced him to be out of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Following the setback, England’s Test captain called for a review of the markers, the triangular sponges that are 20 cm high and 20 cm wide at the base.
Notably, Topley sustained ligament damage to his left ankle ahead of a warm-up clash against Pakistan and was replaced by Tymal Mills in England for the T20 World Cup 2022, where the three Lions will kick off their campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday (October 22) in Perth.
Ben Stokes told England-based publication The Cricketer: “It’s stupid. Unfortunately, it’s taken one of our players to be ruled out … to make people notice. I’m pretty sure it’s something they can look at but you know what it’s like – everybody wants to get their names on somewhere.”
He added, “But you look at player safety and the fact he’s stood on it and it’s ruptured ligaments and now he’s out of the World Cup – it should be looked at. I’m devastated for him. We’re all just absolutely gutted for him that he’s missed out … because he would have been one of the first names on the team sheet.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
