Sri Lankans called out for repeatedly backing up too early in T20 World Cup clash

Sri Lanka’s batters have been exposed for leaving their crease too early on 45 occasions during Tuesday’s match against Australia.

Sri Lanka’s batters have been exposed for repeatedly leaving their crease at the non-striker’s end too early during Tuesday’s T20 World Cup match against Australia at Perth Stadium.

During his first over of the evening, Australian paceman Mitchell Starc spun around following a delivery and pointed at the crease, speaking to Sri Lanka’s batters at the change of ends.

Some speculated the 32-year-old was warning the non-striker about staying in their crease, with replays showing that Sri Lankan batter Dhananjaya de Silva had wandered out fractionally early.

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Earlier this month, Starc warned England captain Jos Buttler about backing up at the non-striker’s end during a rain-affected T20 match at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, referencing Indian spinner Deepti Sharma.

“I’m not Deepti, but I can do it,” Starc was overheard saying on the stump mics.

“Doesn’t mean you can leave your crease early.”

Buttler replied: “I don’t think I did.”

Sharma dominated headlines last month when she ran out England’s Charlie Dean at the non-striker’s end – an act colloquially known as a “Mankad” – to help India secure a 3-0 series whitewash in their bilateral ODI series.

The dismissal divided the cricket world – although running out the non-striker is permitted in the game’s Laws, many consider it against the Spirit of Cricket.

Mitchell Starc of Australia. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images

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.

But the Sri Lankans seemingly haven’t caught on.

Cricket reporter Peter Della Penna discovered that Sri Lanka’s batters had left their crease too early on 45 occasions during the match, while only one Australian was guilty of the misdemeanour — all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who did it thrice.

Although some may consider the act insignificant, it does give the batters an unfair advantage when hunting for quick runs between the wickets, particularly in short-format cricket.

Sri Lanka registered 16 twos on Tuesday evening, expertly taking advantage of Perth Stadium’s large outfield and some sloppy fielding, while the Australians mustered just five twos during the run chase.

Many factors contributed to this disparity — shot selection, frequency of boundaries and field placement to name a few — but the Sri Lankans were undeniably assisted by their non-striker getting a marginal head start.

Compare that to Australia, who are a bunch of Eagle scouts. They only left non-striker's crease 3x all innings, all by Mitch Marsh, who is fractionally out & has eye on the ball. Otherwise the rest never left early.
Warner: 0/17
Finch: 0/59
Marsh: 3/9
Maxwell: 0/12
Stoinis: 0/7 pic.twitter.com/ZANIpHArCm

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) October 25, 2022

Australian captain Aaron Finch was asked about Starc’s warning to Buttler in the post-match press conference, but claimed he did not see the incident take place.

“I think if batters get a warning, then it‘s fair game after that, and that would go for most teams, I would assume,” he told reporters.

“I’m not a big fan of it, personally.”

But Finch dodged questions on whether he’d be comfortable if one of his teammates attempted a “Mankad” dismissal.

Australia will next face England in a blockbuster showdown at the MCG on Friday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT.