Mitchell Starc incident has cricket world on edge ahead of T20 World Cup

There was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment midway through the West Indies' innings in the second T20 international against Australia last week that gave us a small reminder the controversial Mankad mode of dismissal could rear its ugly head if things get tight during the World Cup.

Mitchell Starc steamed in at the Gabba and was about to hit his delivery stride before pulling up and glancing to his left as Johnson Charles strolled out of his crease at the non-striker's end.

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Starc didn’t flick the bails off to perform a dismissal, instead giving Charles a time-honoured 'gentleman's warning' before smiling and returning to the top of his mark.

Under reworked International Cricket Council laws, the Mankad is no longer considered "unfair play" and will now be recorded as a legitimate runout.

But there is still general unease about using the method.

An Australian team would be crucified if it resorted to such a tactic and won't employ it.

But other nations argue it's in the game's laws and batters need to pay for taking an unfair advantage.

Indian star Deepti Sharma created an international furore by 'Mankading' England tail-ender Charlie Dean to seal a win in a women's ODI at Lord's last month.

Ravi Ashwin, who is part of India's men's T20 squad, has shown a willingness to run batsmen out for leaving the non-striker's end early.

He used it in during an ODI in 2012 and, more infamously, against England star Jos Buttler in the 2019 IPL tournament.

Mark Waugh says Mankad 'on the cards' at World Cup

Now the big question is whether any of the men's leading T20 sides will risk the wrath of the cricketing universe and employ the tactic – as legal as it is - during a tense moment during the upcoming World Cup.

Former Australia top order batsman Mark Waugh certainly thinks so.

"I thinking Johnson Charles is in dream world. He's wandering around like a lost sheep out there. He just doesn't look switched on," Waugh said in commentary after Starc pulled up in his delivery stride.

"It's not called a Mankad anymore – it's a runout. And I tell you what, we might see this in the World Cup."

Co-commentator Brad Haddin responded: "I hope not."

Waugh continued: "Well, it's on the cards."

It sure is.

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