Fans slam Kane Williamson for not walking as he edged one from Imran Tahir to the keeper

It took about 25 games for the World Cup to produce a cliff-hanger. The game between South Africa and New Zealand went down to the wire as the latter were in a hunt for a mediocre looking 242 and could only get there with three balls to spare. It was the first instance in this tournament that a game was decided in the final over of a chase. Skipper Kane Williamson showed nerves of steel towards the end to take New Zealand over the line.

He scored a match-winning knock of 106 and even hit the winning runs. After having restricted South Africa to 241, the Kiwis were in a spot of bother at 80/4. However, Williamson held one end up, kept the scoreboard moving and took the game deep. Colin de Grandhomme supported him with a brilliant 60 from just 47 balls.

However, the match went down to the last over and with seven needed off five balls, the Williamson got one in the slot and plundered it for a six to kill the game. He was awarded the player of the match for his brilliant knock under pressure. New Zealand’s win ensured that South Africa have hardly any chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Williamson slammed for not walking and compared to Kohli

Kane Williamson’s masterful unbeaten 106 took New Zealand over the line. But it was not a chanceless knock and South Africa had their moments. None bigger than the 38th over from Imran Tahir where he managed to get an edge and Williamson nicked it to Quinton de Kock.

However, neither did he walk nor did anyone barring Imran Tahir appeal for it not even wicketkeeper De Kock. There was not even a question of going up for a review in that case. However, replays on the giant screen showed that Williamson had got a feather and UltraEdge showed a spike as the ball got past his blade. He was batting on 73 at that time and it was a huge moment in the game.

There was another incident a few days back when Indian captain Virat Kohli walked despite not nicking the ball. Hence, the two captains were compared and some even slammed Williamson for not walking.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to Williamson’s decision to not walk:

There are two kinds of people in the world – One is Virat Kohli type and the other one is Kane Williamson type. Completely opposite but equally amazing. #NZvSA

— Rohit Lawand (@LawandRohit1) June 19, 2019

This is what I’d call a half chance at best. de Grandhomme makes decent contact and Miller has to react quickly to take what would be an absolutely stunning catch. I’m surprised he got a hand on this to be honest. pic.twitter.com/ql0CXwYvwt

— Chinmay Vaidya (@Chinmay_Vaidya) June 19, 2019

Can’t believe Williamson didn’t walk. Humare hi launde jyada shareef hai #NZvSA

— LacaJet (@ThatGuyJSR) June 19, 2019

No! #Proteas just can’t get a break. Tahir finds the edge of Williamson’s bat but only he appeals. It’s official, the cricket gods hate #SouthAfrica.

Oh, and from his reaction Kane knew he hit it. Pity honesty has no place in professional sport. #NZvSA #CWC19

— I am an African ???????? (@Clint_ZA) June 19, 2019

The other day Kohli walked assuming he might have edged it and now Kane Williamson doesn’t walk despite the edge. Now tell me who the real gentleman is?#NZvSA

— Mahaveer Bisht (@MVBisht) June 19, 2019

Good guy kane Williamson didn’t walk after nicking the ball then we have bad guy kohli who walked without nicking ????.#CWC19 #NZvSA

— Karan.Gill ☬ (@KaranGill79) June 19, 2019

Kane Williamson did react when he nicked the ball but he didn’t walk off. It’s world cup and pressure is on. #KaneWilliamson #NZvSA

— Amar Rana ???????? (@amar_tilakrana) June 19, 2019

#NZvSA #CNN @CNN #FoxNews #outnumbered #SouthAfrica @cricketworldcup #WorldCup
South Africa is again choking!!
Kane Williamson should have walked off. As he holds honesty and sportsman spirit at highest standard!!
Honestly his smile clearly indicated he nicked it!

— Stanist (@stanistism) June 19, 2019

A BIG mistake by the #Proteas as Tahir found Williamson’s edge, but they did not ask for a review. #NZvSA #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/HZLA7VGLZ6

— SA Cricket magazine (@SACricketmag) June 19, 2019