Cricket news 2023: Marylebone Cricket Club forced to clarify Mankad rule after BBL drama

The writers of cricket’s rulebook, the historic Marylebone Cricket Club, has been forced to clarify the Mankad rule after the ‘ambiguity’ created by Adam Zampa in the BBL.

Cricket’s rulebook chiefs said Thursday they had clarified the law covering non-strikers being run out by a bowler to avoid the “ambiguity” stirred up by a recent incident involving Australia’s Adam Zampa in the domestic T20 Big Bash League.

Earlier this month Zampa, the Melbourne Stars captain,tried to dismiss Melbourne Renegades’ non-striker Tom Rogers, annoyed he was stepping too far out of his crease.

Adam Zampa speaking to the umpire after his attempted Mankad of Tom Rogers. Picture: Getty Images

Zampa stopped during his bowling run-up as Rogers left his ground, whipping off the bails.

The umpire sent the decision for review and Rogers was ultimately adjudged not out as Zampa’s arm had passed its highest point where he would reasonably be expected to release the ball.

MCC has today issued a clarification on Law 38.3 concerning the act of non-strikers leaving their ground early.#MCCLaws | #CricketTwitter

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) January 19, 2023

Marylebone Cricket Club, which still has global responsibility for cricket’s laws, issued a statement soon afterwards confirming TV umpire Shawn Craig had ruled correctly.

But the MCC said Thursday 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 bowling 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 Thursday.

Rohit Sharma was praised for withdrawing a Mankad appeal against Sri Lanka. Picture: Noah SEELAM / AFP

The once-rare dismissal is named after India all-rounder 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 during 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 skipper Dasun Shanaka in a one-day international in Guwahati.

The real winner was the sportsmanship of Rohit Sharma for refusing to take the run out. I doff my cap to you ! https://t.co/KhMV5n50Ob

— Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) January 10, 2023

Shanaka was on 98 when run out at the non-striker’s end by India pace bowler Mohammed Shami.

Shanaka went on to get his second ODI century with an unbeaten 108, but India went on to defeat the tourists by 67 runs.

Nevertheless, Rohit’s decision to drop the appeal prompted Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya to tweet: “The real winner was the sportsmanship of Rohit Sharma for refusing to take the run out. I doff my cap to you!”

The most revealing aspect of brewing Mankad storm

- by Robert Craddock

Australia beware. The Mankad maelstrom could be heading your way in India.

As the weeks pass by, the dismissal which was once considered a heinous breach of the spirit of cricket is losing its stigma to the point where the shockwaves aren’t shaking the building like they once did.

The Mankad movement had a major moment in the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa over the weekend when Pakistan bowler Zaib-un-Nisa used the controversial run out method to dismiss Rwanda’s Shakila Niyomuhoza.

As the batter wandered out of her crease, the bowler removed the bails.

Then came the revealing part. The fallout. Or lack if it.

No fireworks. No disbelief. No angry looks.

The batter simply walked off and the bowler nonchalantly tossed the ball in the air as if she had taken a caught and bowled.

Adam Zampa’s Mankad attempt during the Big Bash League.

After nearly seven decades of turmoil, it felt like this most abnormal dismissal was normal.

During the Australian Test summer Mitchell Starc threatened to remove the bails on South African batsman Theunis de Bruyn but couldn’t quite bring himself to do it.

Starc is mulling over whether it is time to go the whole way, but the looming figure of interest in the forthcoming series with India is vocal Mankad supporter Ravi Ashwin.

The contrary Indian spinner tried his first Mankad a decade ago against Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne before his teammates retracted the appeal, but Ashwin later caused outrage in the 2019 IPL when he Mankaded Jos Buttler.

A year after the Buttler incident, after being encouraged by his IPL coach Ricky Ponting to simply warn the batsmen and hold the ball, Ashwin did just that to Aaron Finch.

He then went on Twitter to declare that was his “first and final warning for 2020. I am making it official and don’t blame me later on.’’

Ashwin said the main reason he did not Mankad Finch was because they were “good friends’’ and Finch was “a very nice guy.’’

Ravi Ashwin left Jos Buttler furious after a 'Mankad' run out during the IPL

While Ashwin may be more inclined to try the dismissal in white ball cricket, he remains the bowler most likely to stir the pot during next month’s Test series.

Every time a Mankad is effected, there is a chorus of disapproval on social media from former players who grew up with the practice being considered dirty pool.

But the mood is changing. Bowlers’ patience is thinning. Adam Zampa had a failed Mankad attempt in the Big Bash and veteran Dan Christian told Perth Scorchers batsman Stephen Eskinazi “that’s your warning mate’’ when he threatened to take the bails off during a Big Bash game on Sunday.

Batsmen must realise the mood is changing and any that fall victim to this type of dismissal deserve no sympathy.

Ashwin is lurking …