Cricket world erupts after bowler's 'pathetic' act sparks controversy
The Mankad has reared its ugly head and divided cricket fans and commentators once again after a controversial dismissal in a Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association match last weekend. St Bernards Old Collegians were in action against Kew on Sunday when bowler Kyle Adams ran out Andrew Chalkley at the non-striker's end in a dismissal that used to be known as a 'Mankad'.
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The ICC recently moved to legitimise the dismissal after years of controversy, making it perfectly legal for a bowler to run a non-striker out if they leave their crease before the ball is delivered. However the method of dismissal is still widely despised amongst cricket fans and commentators, with the latest incident proving the sport still has a long way to go before it becomes accepted.
Adams whipped off the bails before bowling the ball, with Chalkley wandering out of his crease too early and run out. Chalkley was incensed by the actions of the St Bernards bowler, launching a verbal tirade at the opposition as he left the field.
Video of the dismissal published by MyCricket also shows spectators getting involved in a heated discussion on the boundary.
“You’re an embarrassment to subdistrict cricket,” someone could be heard yelling.
Another says: “It’s in the rule books you d***head.” Someone else can be heard saying: “F***ing s**t club if that’s f***ing acceptable.” While another said: “Simple 'Chalk', stay in your crease mate.”
Fans and commentators were also divided on social media, with many suggesting the onus should be on the non-striker to stay in their crease until they know the ball has been delivered.
Others are still of the belief that the dismissal has no place in the game and should be outlawed.
Peter Ryan of The Age wrote 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 and show him you had him cold, anything you want to try to change is behaviour but don’t mankad him.” Chalkley later replied: “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
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
Never understood the problem with Mankad… just stay in your crease?!? So they expect the keeper to just give a wink and call you a cheeky bugger if you charge the bowler and miss it? https://t.co/2UQxIANBNG
— Super Hans (@SuperHansPS) November 21, 2022
My issue with this is if the bowler had actually delivered the ball instead of slowing down to mankad, he may have been in/slightly out. No one wants to see cricket played with continuous false starts to try mankad the non-striker. Just an ordinary unskilled mode of dismissal IMO
— Jordy D (@d33_jordy) November 21, 2022
Completely agree.
It is a bit disingenuous that a batter should have no qualms trying to cheat by gaining a head start before the ball is delivered.
Also it was not Mankad who started it but the English who, bless their duplicitous souls, blame it on the great Vinoo Mankad! pic.twitter.com/ljnVBuqQzk— Calculus (@Calculus1809) November 21, 2022
Mankad continues to cause controversy in cricket world
The 'Mankad' has been a hot topic of discussion in the cricket world in recent months after India bowler Deepti Sharma ran out England's Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end during a women's ODI at Lord's.
The Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodians and lawmakers of the sport, released a telling statement in the wake of the Sharma-Dean incident.
“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.
In an appearance on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Ellyse Perry described the dismissal as "the biggest flop of a wicket" but jokingly added: “I think the overall gist is no good, don’t do it, but if you’re going to do it, do it to England." Perry added: "I don’t like it at all. It just didn’t feel right."
Speaking before the T20 World Cup, Aussie captain Aaron Finch said: “I think if guys get a warning, then it’s fair game after that. That would go for most teams, I assume, if you give a batter a warning, because you think that they’re gaining a little bit too much ground before the ball is bowled. But I’m not a big fan, personally.”
England captain Jos Buttler added: “No one wants to see them in the game because they always create such a talking point when it should be about the battle between bat and ball."
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