‘Can’t give that out’: England rage over controversial Under-19 World Cup dismissal

England has been engulfed in another spirit of the game row after an Under-19 World Cup opponent exploited a loophole in the laws of the sport.

England has been engulfed in another spirit of the game row after one of their batsman was controversially given out obstructing the field during cricket’s Under-19 World Cup.

Former English Test stars Stuart Broad and Steve Harmison were irate after England’s No 4 batsman Hamza Shaikh was given out against Zimbabwe after he picked up a stationary ball and lobbed it meekly to Zimbabwean wicketkeeper Ryan Kamwemba to save him from picking it up.

The keeper then appealed for Shaikh to be out obstructing the field and the disbelieving batsman was sent on his way before a small crowd in the South African town of Potchefstroom.

“If you are getting given out for that, that’s it, the game’s gone,” former fast bowler Harmison said on TalkSport. “It really has. How can an umpire give that out?”

Broad added on X: “Oh get a grip. He’s passing a stationary ball back to the fielder? Doing him a favour! Can’t give that out,” Broad said on X.

Oh get a grip. He’s passing a stationary ball back to the fielder? Doing him a favour! Cant give that out https://t.co/0iVQXKNw6d

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) February 3, 2024

Under the laws of the game the batsmen is not allowed to pick up the ball and is deemed to have obstructed the field if they do so without permission of the fielding side.

While technically the batsman was out it is extremely rare for the fielding side to appeal against what was essentially a gesture of goodwill.

The issue revived memories of Australia’s controversial run out of Jonny Bairstow in the recent Ashes series.

England won the game in Potchefstroom but their victory was inconsequential as both sides were out of trophy contention.

Originally published as ‘Can’t give that out’: England rage over controversial Under-19 World Cup dismissal