T20 World Cup: Mark Waugh’s Mankad fears

Mark Waugh fears some World Cup batsman are blatantly cheating and it leaves them open to fall victim to one of cricket’s most-divisive modes of dismissal.

Mark Waugh believes there will be a Mankad run-out controversy this World Cup and has warned batsmen to watch their step.

The Test great and Fox Cricket expert is no fan of Mankadding, but accepts batsmen shouldn’t be able to get away with cheating by backing up to steal singles.

Mankadding has become such a divisive issue that it’s exposed the fact that a cultural war of ideologies exists across different cricketing nations, about how the game should be played.

The powder keg exploded recently when Indian women’s star Deepti Sharma Mankadded an England batter, with a twitter spat between England men’s captain Ben Stokes and Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle highlighting the feeling that exists.

Harsha … bringing culture into peoples opinion over a Mankad? https://t.co/QNyY8K59kP

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 1, 2022

Indian bowler Deepti Sharma dismissed England tailender Charlie Dean by way of Mankad to claim victory. Picture: Getty Images

Sharma was all smiles after her dismissal. Picture: Getty Images

Dean was left shattered by the act. Picture: Getty Images

Waugh feels that undercurrent of emotion has made it almost likely a Mankad will occur on the massive stage of the men’s World Cup.

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“I think you’ll probably see one or two in this tournament, I can’t see how you won’t,” Waugh told News Corp, with Fox Cricket and Kayo the only place to watch every ball of the World Cup.

“It’s a rule and batsmen have got to be more aware of it.

“I don’t like it to be honest, but I think there’s certain situations where it’s fair to use it. I’d give a batsman a warning first, that’s my opinion.

“… I think if someone is deliberately cheating and backing up too far then after a warning, it’s fair game. I think you’re quite entitled to run someone out.

“I don’t like it, but I’m aware that it’s part of the game and there’s no way a batsman should get an unfair advantage.”

Cricket legend Mark Waugh fears a Mankad is inevitable in the T20 World Cup.

Waugh said there is no right or wrong attitude to Mankadding, a practice which is in the rules but some feel is against the spirit of the game.

The former great said it’s up to batsmen to save the tournament from being marred by controversy.

“We are all brought up a different way and play the game a different way. It doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong,” said Waugh.

“I’d hate to see it decide the final, a Mankad. But if batsmen are more aware of the situation and not gaining an advantage, they don’t have to worry about it.

“Let’s hope there’s none of it and everyone plays the game hard and fair.”

Australian captain Aaron Finch said pre-tournament that he also felt Mankadding was acceptable after a warning – but declined to answer to a question about whether he would be comfortable with one of his bowlers performing the act.

A question about Mankadding to all captains at the ICC World Cup launch in Melbourne last weekend was shut down by a moderator.