Willey says India bowlers' tactics 'not necessarily in the spirit of cricket'

David Willey, like many of his team-mates, was frustrated by the tourists' attack repeatedly pulling out of their run-ups in the delivery stride during the eight-wicket defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday

^{England allrounder David Willey was not impressed by Indian bowlers pulling out of their delivery strides}

David Willey has criticised the "antics" of the Indian bowlers during England's defeat in the first T20 international at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Willey, like many of his team-mates, was frustrated by the tourists' attack repeatedly pulling out of their run-ups in the delivery stride during the eight-wicket defeat and said the tactic was not "in the spirit of cricket".

"I don't particularly like it and I don't think it is necessarily in the spirit of cricket," he said ahead of the second meeting of the series in Cardiff on Friday.

“They did that a few times. The spinners did it a couple of times. I’m not sure what the rules are on that. I don’t particularly like it.

"They have a few fiery characters, but I don't mind a bit of confrontation.

^{KL Rahul defended the Indians' tactic}

"I am quite happy to get involved. But we are advised to leave those antics to others."

Willey and Bhuvneshwar Kumar exchanged words towards the back end of the England innings, while Kuldeep Yadav - the left-arm wristspinner - failed to complete his action on multiple occasions.

India batsman KL Rahul stressed that his team-mates were within their rights to do so, however.

"The margin of error for bowlers in T20 is very little, so whatever tactics they can come up with to upset the batsmen is only fair," he said.

“It would frustrate me as a batsman. It did, I guess, frustrate English batsmen."

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