“What am I doing wrong?” Warner fumes as Aussies stung with rare penalty

David Warner was the victim of one of cricket’s rarest umpiring calls, copping a five-run penalty for running on the centre of the pitch.

David Warner was stunned as umpire Aleem Dar penalised him for a rare infringement.

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David Warner was absolutely dumbfounded after being stung by one of the rarest cricket penalties by umpire Aleem Dar - and commentators were equally as surprised.

Australia was penalised five runs by Dar for batsmen running down the centre of the pitch twice in the space of three deliveries.

Like bowlers, batsmen are meant to avoid running down the centre of the pitch to avoid damaging sensitive areas of the wicket.

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Aleem Dar initially warned Marnus Labuschagne for the offence after the Aussies snuck a quick single when Labuschagne cut a Matt Henry ball to point.

Just two balls later, Warner clipped a Henry slow ball to midwicket and took off for a single. Then umpire Dar penalised Warner for running down the pitch.

That run was struck off Australia’s score. Then, as an additional penalty, five runs were added to New Zealand’s first innings total.

Warner was dumbfounded at the decision. “What?” He exclaimed. “What am I doing wrong? What am I doing?”

Dar replied “running down the middle.”

A frustrated Warner then questioned South African umpire Marais Erasmus. “What do you want (me) to do, play the shot and then jump this way (sideways)?”

Warner and Labuschagne questioned umpire Marais Erasmus over the rare ruling.

Fox Cricket commentators were equally surprised at the decision.

Kerry O’Keeffe said “I don’t think he could have veered off quicker than he did given his momentum. There was no intent to churn (the pitch) up.

“He actually tried to veer as quickly as he could.”

Brett Lee said Warner was right to question the decision, saying “I mean, where’s he meant to run?”

Allan Border called it a “bit of a strange (decision), the umpires jumping in at this stage.”

And Adam Gilchrist declared “I don’t think David Warner’s done anything wrong. I get the reason why they want to make sure they don’t do anything wrong.”

“Warner gets pretty much out of it (the danger area) pretty quick. He didn’t stay out in the middle.”

Speaking on Marnus Labuschagne’s earlier warning for the same infringement, Gilchrist said “He was clearly just watching the ball there, Marnus Labuschagne. His first few steps naturally dragged him down the pitch. He was pretty quick to get off and run to the side.”

THE RULE:

41.18.4 When 5 Penalty runs are awarded to the fielding side, under clause 18.5.2 (Deliberate short runs), or under 41.10, 41.14, 41.15 or 41.17, they shall be added as Penalty extras to that side’s total of runs in its most recently completed innings.

If the fielding side has not completed an innings, the 5 Penalty runs shall be added to the score in its next innings.

Originally published as “What am I doing wrong?” Warner fumes as Aussies stung with rare penalty