Adam Zampa’s botched Mankad attempt in Big Bash sparks furore

Melbourne Stars captain Adam Zampa has reignited an age-old cricket debate after he botched a Mankad in the Big Bash.

The Mankad can of worms has been opened.

Adam Zampa added some drama to Big Bash Melbourne derby on Tuesday night with a botched Mankad attempt.

Bowling the last over of the innings, the Melbourne Stars captain attempted to run out Tom Rogers at the nonstrikers end, knocking off the bails — believing the Renegades batter had backed up too far.

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Rogers was surprised by Zampa’s run-out attempt and the pair shared a few choice words, while boos rang out around the MCG and some fans in the crowd looked confused.

The run-out attempt was sent to the third umpire, who deemed it was not out because Zampa’s bowling arm had gone “past the vertical” or too far into his bowling action.

WATCH ADAM ZAMPA’S MANKAD ATTEMPT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Adam Zampa thought it was out.. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“Must’ve warned him,” Brad Haddin said on Fox Cricket.

“I reckon Zampa was dirty from the ball before when Rogers got in and out and got Harvey on strike.

“Didn’t think we were gonna see it (attempted in the BBL), to be honest.”

Commentator Anthony Hudson added: “It’s on at the MCG!”

Better get used to it.

The Mankad is a thing now! #bbl12

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 3, 2023

A botched mankad is the best kind of mankad #bbl12

— Nick McGrath (@nickmcgrath4) January 3, 2023

I score Adam Zampa 10/10 for guts and 0/10 for execution.

— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) January 3, 2023

Wish I'd known that 'bowler's arm past the vertical' rule on Christmas Day & a 1000 backyard matches before that!! #mankad#zampa

— peter ryan (@petryan) January 3, 2023

Poor mankad technique from Zampa. That why you have to practice at training #bbl12

— John Townsend (@johnt237) January 3, 2023

Happy Vegan Mankad culture war week to those who celebrate.

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 3, 2023

“If he goes past where he’s meant to let go of the ball there ... it’s deemed you can’t actually Mankad the batsman,” Brett Lee said.

“Listen, I don’t like that rule, I don’t like the Mankad rule whatsoever, I reckon they should take it out of their hands.

“The best way to do it is to say to the batsman, if you leave your crease, you get docked five runs. Take it away from the bowler ... I just don’t like seeing that in the game of cricket.”

The dismissal was famously dubbed a “Mankad” named after the Indian bowler who ran out Australia batsman Bill Brown in the 1948 Sydney Test.

The controversial act was ruled legal as a mode of dismissal by the ICC last year.

Tom Rogers and Adam Zampa exchange words. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Stars coach David Hussey said they would have withdrawn the appeal if it had been given out.

“It’s not the right way to play cricket - yet. It was more of a warning for the batter not to leave too early,” Hussey said.

The controversial moment comes after Mitchell Starc warned South Africa’s Theunis de Bruyn when the batsman was “halfway down Punt Road” during the MCG Test.

Batting the first, the Renegades posted 7/141, with Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh and Mackenzie Harvey all topscoring with 32.

Zampa’s bold move may have poked the bear in a big way.

Rogers came out breathing fire with the ball and tore through the Stars’ top order with three early wickets.

The paceman finished with figures of 5/16 off his four overs to claim the second five-wicket haul of the BBL season.

“I was padding up and he came in fuming,” Renegades wicketkeeper Sam Harper said on Fox Cricket.

“If he’s gonna bowl 140 km/h absolute seams he should get Mankadded more often.”

Rogers destroyed the Stars’ batting line-up and he led the Renegades to a dominant 33-run win.

Nick Larkin topscored for the Stars with 48 not out but none of his teammates made double figures.