Mankad dismissal steals the spotlight in Murray Towns cricket grand final

A South Australian country cricket grand final has been thrust into the spotlight with a contentious dismissal sparking debate about sportsmanship. Watch the video.

A South Australian country cricket grand final has been thrust into the spotlight with a contentious dismissal sparking debate about sportsmanship and the laws of the game.

Mypolonga defeated Mannum in the Murray Towns A grade decider on Saturday as the Tigers claimed all three senior premierships in a historic day for the club.

However, it was an incident in the 32nd over of the second innings that stole the attention of sports fans and sparked fierce debate online when a Mannum bowler elected to Mankad a Mypolonga star batsman.

A Mankad dismissal during the Murray Towns A grade grand final stirred debate among cricket followers. Picture: Murraylands Football and Netball Sporting Results

A “Mankad” dismissal – when the nonstriking batsman is run out by a bowler – and is considered by some to be unsporting, however the dismissal is within the rules of the game.

The unusual form of dismissal was in the spotlight around the nation in January when international star Adam Zampa attempted to run out a nonstriker in a BBL game.

Likewise, Mannum veteran Dwayne Krollig elected to Mankad Mypolonga star Jared Marston – taking the stumps as the Mypolonga side set about chasing down Mannum’s total.

Marston was ruled run out on 29 and was forced to exit but not before what he described as “colourful send off” by the fielding team.

Krollig – one of the league’s most decorated players – said he understood the level of interest in the dismissal, but said he warned the batsman about overstepping the mark and the rule was in place for a reason.

“Everyone deserves and has a right to have an opinion but people are focusing on just that delivery, the ball before that (the batsman) jumped the gun a little early and I actually gave him a warning,” Krollig said.

“I was warning the batsman about jumping out of the blocks too soon … it was the next ball you can see him trying to get a gallop out of the blocks.

“I think you should have the courtesy to give them a warning, but if they don’t follow that warning I guess it is fair game.”

Krollig said he hoped the attention on the dismissal would act as deterant for batsman looking to gain extra ground.

“I’d hope the circumstance wouldn’t arise again,” he said.

Marston – the batsman given out – described the act as “cheeky” but said he has accepted the umpire’s call.

“There was a bit of a miscommunication about the warning, I didn’t hear the bowler properly but I’ll take it,” he said.

“However, it was a bit disappointing on the send off side of things given how that went down … but we got the chocolates so I’m not going to hold too much of a grudge.”

Content creator Bruce Phillips – who broadcasts and commentates Murray Towns cricket games through his Facebook platform Murraylands Football and Netball Sporting Results – said the incident sparked a lively debate on his page.

He said he had not seen a Mankad dismissal in the competition during his 40 years of playing, umpiring or broadcasting.

Phillips said while the form of dismissal “wasn’t a good look for the game”, upon reviewing the footage, it seemed the bowler had warned the batsman.

“Krollig definitely warned him – you don’t have to warn them you can just oust him but given he warned him, I’m okay with it,” he said.

Murray Towns Cricket Association president Daniel Gilmore said the umpires acted correctly in awarding the dismissal.

“Speaking with the umpires after the game, they confirmed the bowler had issued a warning prior, but rules state you don’t even have to,” he said.

Mypolonga – who had bowled Mannum out for 128 in the 50th over – went on the win the game, reaching the total six down in the 44th over.