Ben Stokes heroic all-round efforts ensured that England levelled the Test series 1-1, but the chatter in the second Test was all around Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander. The English wicket-keeper was caught on the stump mic cussing at the South African all-rounder in the second innings.

The incident happened when Buttler was collecting a throw from the mid-on fielder, and Philander who wasn’t aware of the incoming throw was in the way of the keeper. Buttler reacted angrily to the situation and that incident has since caused a lot of uproar in the cricket community, with many being critical of Buttler for launching into an expletive ridden tirade against Philander, who is playing his last International series for South Africa.

One of the first to take a stand against the English World Cup winner was South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, who tweeted a video of Buttler’s abusive language saying ‘Well that was loud and clear.’

Steyn’s views were reciprocated by Indian cricket statistician and expert Ayaz Menon, who called Buttler’s reaction ‘unacceptable.’ Many other prominent Twitter personalities were also critical of the English wicket-keeper’s abusive language, tweeting their opinions against Buttler.

Former English batsman Kevin Pieterson however came to Jos Buttler’s defence, talking in support of the wicket-keeper batsman. ‘Lots having a go at @josbuttler. Leave him alone! This is Test Cricket and believe me, this is nothing compared to lots that goes on, on the field.

Series is alive big time! End of’ tweeted the middle-order batsman, who was England’s leading run scorer in the 2005 Ashes series.

Like Pieterson, many have also defended Buttler’s tirade as a part of gamesmanship, as the South African all-rounder refused a single later in that over, and was dismissed by Ben Stokes in the next. Philander dug deep in the second innings, eating up 52 balls for his eight runs, but his wicket ended the Protean resistance. England ultimately won the Test match by 189 runs, levelling the series at one apiece. The third Test is now set to be played from January 16 at Port Elizabeth.   

Photo courtesy: Marco Longari/ AFP

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Jos ButtlerSouth Africa