Ravi Ashwin mankad: MCC decides dismissal was permitted, but against spirit of cricket

The MCC has given new life to the controversy over Ravi Ashwin’s mankad of Jos Buttler.

Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler, left, exchanges words with Kings XI Punjab's Ravi Ashwin. Picture: AFP

The raging controversy over Ravi Ashwin’s mankad of Jos Buttler in the IPL has been given new life with the MCC now deciding it was within the law but against the spirit of the game.

It may come as news to some that there should be any semblance of the intangible “spirit” in the circus that is T20 and especially in it’s supercharged Indian version, but apparently it has survived the onslaught of hired dancers, fireworks and relentless musical assaults.

The controversy kicked off when the Ashiwn, playing for the Kings XI Punjab, ran out Rajasthan Royal’s Buttler.

Shane Warne called for Ashwin to stand down as captain as fans, commentators and players clashed over the bowler’s act.

Mitchell Johnson said the batsman should be warned.

The MCC initially attempted to ease the tension by clarifying law 41.16.1 but admitted there was a grey area surrounding when the ball is “expected to be delivered”.

“The crux of the issue is when the nonstriker can safely leave his/her ground, and what the bowler can do to effect this form of dismissal without courting controversy,” the laws committee spokesperson said after the match.

Ravi Ashwin left Jos Buttler furious after a 'mankad' run out during the IPL.

“To clarify, it has never been in the laws that a warning should be given to the nonstriker and nor is it against the spirit of cricket to run out a nonstriker who is seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his/her ground early.

“Some feel that Ashwin delayed his action to allow Buttler the chance to leave his ground and that Buttler was in his ground when he expected the ball to be released.

“If it was a deliberate delay, that would be unfair and against the spirit of cricket. Ashwin claims this not to be the case.

“The TV umpire had to make a decision and, under the law, it was understandable how he opted to give Buttler out. It is up to both teams to ensure that the game is played within both the laws and the spirit of cricket.

“Non-strikers must be careful not to gain an unfair advantage by leaving their ground early, while bowlers must act within the time frame outlined in the law to effect a run-out under law 41.16.”

Overnight, MCC’s manager of the laws, Fraser Stewart, told The Telegraph UK that there was a change of heart.

“Having extensively reviewed the incident again and after further reflection we don’t think it was within the spirit of the game,” he told Scyld Berry.

“We believe the pause was too long between the time Ashwin reached the crease and the moment it was reasonable to expect the ball would be delivered.

“When Buttler could have reasonably expected the ball to be delivered, he was in his ground.”

Steward did not, however, have too much sympathy for Buttler.

“It is also unfair, and against the Spirit of Cricket, for nonstrikers to leave their ground too early. All these debates wouldn’t be necessary if nonstrikers remained in their ground until the ball is on its way down the pitch,” Stewart said.