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Cricket world reacts to historic rule change on divisive dismissal

Pictured is Ravi Ashwin's memorable 'Mankad' dismissal of Jos Buttler in the 2019 Indian Premier League.
The cricket world has reacted with enthusiasm after the controversial 'Mankad' dismissal was codified by the ICC in a recent update to the rules of the game. Picture: Indian Premier League

The ICC has made a number of cricket rule changes ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, most notably altering the nature of the controversial 'Mankad' dismissal.

Though a bowler running out a batsman for backing up too far at the non-striker's end has long been debated as an unsportsmanlike act, the ICC has changed the rules in order to reach more clarity.

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Famously dubbed a 'Mankad' after an Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad ran out Australia batsman Bill Brown in the 1948 Sydney Test using the method.

Rules surrounding the dismissal have now been moved from the 'unfair play' section of the rulebook to the 'run out' section, thereby legitimising the 'Mankad' as a dismissal.

There have been a number of heated debates in recents years about the act, sparked most notably by Indian spin bowler Ravi Ashwin in 2012 when he earned a wicket against Sri Lanka in a one-day international.

Ashwin once again fired up the debate during the 2019 Indian Premier League season when he got Jos Buttler out the same way - leaving the England star less than impressed.

The T20 World Cup, which kicks off in October, will be the first major tournament to be played under the clarified 'Mankad' rules.

But bowlers will no longer be allowed to attempt to run out the striker by advancing down the wicket before entering their delivery stride and throwing at the stumps. If they make such an attempt, it will be called a dead ball.

Cricket fans on social media had a range of responses to the clarification over the controversial cricketing act.

A temporary ban on using saliva to shine cricket balls was also made permanent by the International Cricket Council.

The ICC said the ban on saliva to shine one side of the ball to help it swing through the air, brought in May 2020 as a temporary measure to prevent coronavirus transmission, would stay.

"The ban on saliva use has been in place for over two years in international cricket as a Covid-related temporary measure and it is considered appropriate for the ban to be made permanent," an ICC statement said.

The time taken by an incoming batter to take strike in Tests and one-day internationals is now reduced from three minutes to two while in T20 internationals it remains at 90 seconds.

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One of the other new rules says if fielders make any unfair and deliberate movements while the bowler is running in to bowl, the batting side can be awarded five penalty runs.

Another change allows the use of hybrid pitches at all men's and women's one-day and Twenty20 internationals.

Hybrid pitches, a blend of natural grass with artificial turf, have only been previously used in women's T20 internationals.

Additionally, new batters will come in at the striker's end after a catching dismissal even if those at the crease cross, the ICC has announced.

Crossing had allowed an incoming player a little more time to get up to speed and could prove crucial in tight contests in limited-overs cricket.

Cricket fans will have some new rule changes to keep in mind when the T20 World Cup arrives in Australia in October. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Cricket fans will have some new rule changes to keep in mind when the T20 World Cup arrives in Australia in October. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The ICC's new rule comes into effect on October 1, though the Hundred competition in England has already introduced such a change.

"When a batter is out caught, the new batter will come in at the end the striker was, regardless of whether the batters crossed prior to the catch being taken," the ICC said.

The governing body has also permanently banned the use of saliva to polish the ball. It had temporarily banned the practice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It had also clamped down on slow over rates in one-day internationals following recommendations by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the game's laws.

As in Twenty20 Internationals, teams failing to bowl their full quota within the stipulated time will have to bring an additional player inside the 30-yard circle for the remainder of the innings.

This rule will come into effect after the conclusion of men's World Cup Super League in 2023.

With agencies

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