‘Pathetic way to play’: Victorian cricketer’s controversial dismissal sparks furious debate

Footage has circulated on social media of a Victorian cricketer attempting a controversial dismissal, inevitably sparking debate.

The "Mankad" debate is back.

The Mankad debate is back.

Footage has circulated on social media of a cricketer attempting the controversial dismissal during a Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association match on the weekend, inevitably sparking debate.

During a one-day contest at St Bernards College on Sunday, Kew was chasing a target of 187 when St Bernards Old Collegians paceman Kyle Adams whipped of the bails in the sixth over, appealing for a run out at the non-striker’s end.

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Replays showed that Kew batter Andrew Chalkley was indeed marginally out of his crease when Adams dislodged the bails.

The wicket prompted a heated argument on the boundary.

“You’re an embarrassment to subdistrict cricket,” someone yelled.

Another continued: “It’s in the rule books you d***head.”

Someone else declared: “F***ing s**t club if that’s f***ing acceptable.”

Another said: “Simple Chalk, stay in your crease mate.”

How come a non-striker defend the runout after stepping out of the crease again and again? Stumped players don’t argue or defend..!! Learn from them..or plea/protest to remove it from the law book. Simple! Until then just be in your crease as asked! https://t.co/PwiWrqiKtr

— Ishan Yadav Mahal (@BeingIshanCric) November 21, 2022

Kew won the match by four wickets, chasing the target in the 44th over after captain Matthew Brown top-scored with 74 (93).

The video of Chalkley’s dismissal has quickly accumulated tens of thousands of views on Twitter, prompting cricket fans to offer their two cents’ worth on the issue.

The Age’s Peter Ryan posted to Twitter: “Pathetic way to play. Not a fan of pedants ruining a perfectly reasonable game of cricket. Just warn, sledge, tell him he’s a cheat, stop & show him you had him cold, anything you want to try to change is behaviour but don’t mankad him.”

Chalkley later tweeted: “Pretty embarrassing way to play your cricket.”

Stay in your crease until the ball is bowled. Not sure why it's so hard. I've done it for 30 years. https://t.co/7Fuq6zZTms

— Rhys O'Neill (@Rhys_ONeill_) November 20, 2022

This is so so so good. Every time you watch/listen to it you hear something new and it’s all gold. https://t.co/SZMAyQaHf5

— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 20, 2022

The “Mankad” dismissal divided the cricket world earlier this year when Indian spinner Deepti Sharma ran out England’s Charlie Dean during an ODI contest at Lord’s.

Although running out the non-striker is permitted in the game’s Laws, many believe it violates the Spirit of Cricket.

However, Marylebone Cricket Club, the sport’s custodians and lawmakers, sent a clear message to cricketers around the world following Sharma’s controversial run out.

“MCC’s message to non-strikers continues to be to remain in their ground until they have seen the ball leave the bowler’s hand,” the statement read.

Earlier this year, a Victorian grade cricket match become the centre of heated debate when Kingston Hawthorn paceman Sen Sathyajith secured victory with two “Mankad” dismissals.