MCC clears the air on Mankad rule
CRICKET’S rule chiefs have clarified the law covering non-strikers being run out by a bowler to avoid the “ambiguity” stirred up by a recent incident involving Adam Zampa in the T20 Big Bash League.
Earlier this month, Zampa, the Melbourne Stars captain, tried to dismiss Melbourne Renegades nonstriker Tom Rogers, annoyed he was stepping too far out of his crease.
He stopped in his bowling run-up as Rogers left his ground, whipping off the bails.
The umpire sent the decision for review and the batter was given not out as Zampa’s arm had passed its highest point where he would be expected to release the ball.
Marylebone Cricket Club, which still has global responsibility for cricket’s laws, issued a statement soon after confirming TV umpire Shawn Craig had ruled correctly.
But the MCC on Thursday said the previous wording of Law 38.3.2 had led some to think such a run out could happen even after the bowler had gone through the action.
“That was never the intention of this law, nor the way it was ever interpreted by MCC,” said a statement from the Lord’s-based club.
The revised law now reads: “Even if the non-striker had left his/her ground before the instant at which the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, once the bowler has reached that point it is no longer possible for the bowler to run out the non-striker under this law.”
It came into immediate effect on Thursday. The once-rare dismissal is named after India allrounder Vinoo Mankad, who ran out Australia’s Bill Brown in such fashion in a 1948 Test.
Although they can be a source of ill-feeling, lawmakers have repeatedly insisted Mankads are legitimate.
Nevertheless, a fresh debate ensued after Pakistan’s Zaib-un-Nisa dismissed Rwanda’s Shakila Niyomuhoza with a Mankad in the ongoing under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
By contrast, India captain Rohit Sharma was praised last week for withdrawing a Mankad appeal against Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka in an ODI in Guwahati. Shanaka was on 98 when run out at the non-striker’s end by Indian bowler Mohammed Shami.
Rohit’s decision to drop the appeal prompted Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya to tweet: “The real winner was the sportsmanship of Rohit Sharma!”