England batter refuses to walk for 16 minutes at Over-60 World Cup in fresh cricket conduct row

A second conduct controversy has rocked the Over-60 World Cup, this time involving England batter Temoor Alam, who refused to leave the crease for more than 15 minutes after being given out leg before wicket against India on Monday. The match was a group-stage fixture, and England were placed at 62 for two when the umpire raised his finger with Alam having made 30 runs.

Alam waved his bat immediately after the decision, signalling his belief that the ball had struck the bat rather than the pad. He then remained at the wicket, insisting the umpire had erred, while India's players looked on in visible confusion. After a delay stretching beyond 15 minutes, the original decision was reversed, and Alam was permitted to resume his innings. He added a further 10 runs before eventually departing for 40.

England closed their 45-over innings on 167 for seven. They then dismissed India for 159, securing victory by eight runs. The 10 runs Alam accumulated after the initial dismissal proved decisive to that winning margin. The incident follows the earlier 'Clicky Ponting' affair involving a player from Saltburn, which had already brought the same tournament considerable international attention just weeks before.

Under the laws of cricket, a batter who has been given out by the umpire is obliged to respect that decision and walk off the field without delay.

What did the commentary and those present say about the incident?

The England versus India fixture was broadcast live online, and commentator Rashid Mahmood captured the moment as it unfolded.

"He (Alam) is holding his bat out. He can't do that. Temoor Alam. You have to walk. You cannot do that. Off you go. You may not agree with it. There's a bit of a conflab going on here. This is going to cause an absolute ruckus. Here we go. The umpire clearly signalled out," said Mahmood on commentary.

Observers who were present at the ground were equally forthright. Those close to the tournament described Alam's behaviour as an absolute disgrace and a blemish on our great game, while a separate witness called it the single worst incident I have ever experienced in decades of cricket. England have not issued any condemnation of Alam's conduct. He featured in England's following fixture against New Zealand on Tuesday, with England captain Edward Lennox having been at the crease alongside Alam at the moment the original LBW decision was given.

How has the wider cricket world reacted to the incident?

The footage and reports spread rapidly across social media, drawing responses from prominent names in the game. South African batting great Barry Richards posted his reaction on social media.

"No. This can't be right. Life ban probably but certainly match forfeit. If this is allowed to rest, rod for back comes to mind," wrote Richards on Facebook.

No formal disciplinary process or official tournament ruling has been confirmed by Over-60 World Cup organisers. The competition, staged in Canada, has now been drawn into two separate conduct controversies within a matter of weeks, raising broader questions about the enforcement of cricket's behavioural standards at the veterans level. Tournament officials have yet to make any public statement on whether Alam's conduct will be reviewed.