'That's wrong': Controversy erupts over female cricketer's sporting act
Cricket’s controversial Mankad debate has reared its ugly head again, this time at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
However the latest controversy surrounds a decision not to affect a Mankad.
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England’s Katherine Brunt divided opinion on Sunday after choosing not to run out Sune Luus at the non-striker’s end while bowling.
With Brunt bowling the final over of the match and South Africa requiring nine runs to win, Luus snuck out of her crease before Brunt delivered the ball.
However despite the Mankad being completely within the rules, Brunt opted not to run Luus out and gave her a warning instead.
May among the cricket world believe this is how the rule should be policed, while others feel its completely legitimate to Mankad without a warning.
Either way, the sporting act came back to haunt Brunt two balls later when Mignon du Preez crushed a six to level the scores.
That came after du Preez and Luus both scored singles to make the equation seven off four balls, however Luus arguably shouldn’t have been at the crease.
Brunt’s actions likely came about because she too was given a reprieve by South Africa when she could have been Mankaded.
In the 17th over of England’s innings, South African bowler Ayabonga Khaka pulled out of her delivery stride when Brunt wandered out of her crease too early.
The strange scenes left cricket commentators and fans heavily divided.
Well within her rights to run her out. https://t.co/RhoMcKuWcY
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) February 23, 2020
This is exactly the kind of scenario that led to the MCC relaxing the run-out rules. Luus was very, very lucky that Brunt was reluctant to do it. pic.twitter.com/sy8w4UgtXC
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) February 23, 2020
Isn't it against spirit of the sport not to mankad when it's right as per law.
When a Bowler oversteps without an intention to take unfair advantage, so Batsman can leave or defend the freehit?
IMO, When its within rule, not doing Mankad is wrong.— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) February 23, 2020
Ayabonga Khaka did exactly the same while brunt was batting, fair play from both teams. https://t.co/mx5Zp0wJMQ
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) February 23, 2020
contributed to* costing England, etc. I'm not going down twitter's Mankad sewer today but, in short, it's only logical that one event influences the next. If the runout was completed, the game's circumstances change. It's not as simple as "well, MdP hit the next ball for six."
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) February 23, 2020
Only herself to blame to turn down a legitimate dismissal.
— Robert Stow (@YahYah_Gunn) February 23, 2020
Hmm not really. This ‘spirit of cricket’ is a nonsense. It should be looked at as a run out, you’re out of your crease. I suppose the definition depends on when you consider the ball to be in play
— Chris Brooker (@BrookerRules) February 23, 2020
Class. You can’t buy it
— David Harley (@sharkbaitza) February 23, 2020
South Africa stun England at T20 World Cup
Du Preez displayed nerves of steel to inspire South Africa to an upset six-wicket victory over England at the WACA Ground.
In reply to England's sub-par 8-123, South Africa needed 21 off the last 13 balls to snatch victory in Sunday's match.
Du Preez was dropped on two, and she made the most of the chance in her 100th T20 international.
With South Africa needing seven runs off the last four balls, du Preez thumped Brunt for a six to level the scores.
She scored a four next ball to secure the win with two balls to spare.
Du Preez finished unbeaten on 18 off 11 balls, with her match-winning shot sparking wild celebrations.
Dane van Niekerk (46 off 51 balls) and Marizanne Kapp (38 off 33) played crucial roles in setting up South Africa's innings.
South Africa are ranked sixth in T20 cricket, but their win over world No.2 England has given them an excellent chance to make it past the group stage.
It was also sweet revenge for South Africa, who lost to England in the semi-final of the 2017 one-day World Cup.
"We kind of had a monkey on our back - it's now done and dusted," du Preez said of turning the tables on England.
"We said this year we want to go one step further than the semi-finals and take the World Cup trophy home."
with AAP
