Blackcaps World Cup hero Kane Williamson has been called out on social media, after carrying his team to victory over South Africa at Edgbaston on Thursday morning (NZT).
The skipper compiled an unbeaten 106 runs off 138 balls, as New Zealand reached their 242-run target with three balls remaining, extending their unbeaten record and returning to the top of the tournament standings.
But former Proteas spin bowler Paul Adams has questioned Williamson's integrity over an incident that should have seen him dismissed for 76, with team still 69 runs short of their target with 11 overs to play.
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The NZ captain appeared to edge a ball from spin bowler Imran Tahir to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Tahir appealed, but found no support from his teammates, captain Faf du Plessis or umpires, and Williamson stood his ground.
Subsequent replays showed Williamson clearly nicked it and Adams sparked a Twitter debate by claiming he should, in all conscience, have walked.
But most commenters leapt to the defence of 'Captain Kane', who is recognised internationally as one of the world's best and fairest cricketers. Most questioned why du Plessis didn't review the umpire's decision.
"Never question Kane's ethics," responded 'thekibsta', a Blackcaps fan. "If anyone is known for unselfish play, it is him.
"If he thought he was out, he would have gone. It wouldn't have changed anything - the Blackcaps will always beat you with a couple to go."
Afterwards, even du Plessis shrugged it off.
"We weren't aware of it," he said. "I just found out about it after the game.
"Even Kane said he didn't feel it. That's not where the game was won and lost."
The loss was South Africa's fourth of the tournament, effectively squashing their hopes of making the semi-finals with three pool games still to play.
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