On Wednesday, the USA defeated Canada in the Match 10 of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier. USA’s Karima Gore was adjudged man of the match for his 15-ball 31 run knock. The dramatic way in which the game concluded, though, was the main attraction of the match.
The USA needed 3 runs off the last ball. Ali Khan was on strike. Former South African pacer Rusty Theron was at the non-striker’s end. The bowler did a good job of preventing Ali from connecting the ball. It was a bye and the batters tried to steal a run from the Canadian wicketkeeper Hamza Tariq.
However, it appeared that Hamza easily ran Rusty Theron out before his bat could reach the popping crease. Hamza threw the ball on the pitch and started celebrating with his teammates, as they thought the game is done and dusted, because even if Theron was not out, Canada would have won by 1 run.
However, Theron (who knew he was not out) had other plans as he called Ali Khan to come back for a second run while the Canadian players were busy celebrating. The umpires also deemed them as legal runs and the match which should have been easily won by Canada went to a super over. Canada conceded 22 runs in the super over and in reply, could manage to score only 14 and handed the USA a victory.
📺 WATCH: One of the most dramatic finishes in the history of cricket as USA and Canada played out a match for the ages that went to a Super Over where #TeamUSA🇺🇸 prevailed
👀The final over highlights are a MUST WATCH⬇️#CANvUSA🇨🇦🇺🇸 #WeAreUSACricket🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UBqBNTtS7x
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 11, 2021
Was it a dead ball? What does the law say?
According to MCC law 20.1.2:
“The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play.”
Hence the decision of umpires was perfect because Rusty Theron at the batter’s end immediately turned back to take the second run as soon as Canada’s wicketkeeper started celebrating and rolled the ball away on the deck.
