Due to BBL star Adam Zampa’s unsuccessful effort at the contentious dismissal, the furious Mankad debate was sparked once more. Now, cricket’s top lawmakers have acknowledged the proper decision was made when it was denied.
During a heated Melbourne derby at the MCG on Tuesday night, Melbourne Stars captain Zampa attempted to remove the bails at the non-end strikers before bowling in an effort to steal Renegades batter Tom Rogers’ wicket.
When Rogers had left his crease, Zampa finished his motion without releasing the ball, removed the bails, and defiantly celebrated by raising his finger and marching back to his mark.
The case was taken up from the field by the officials, and TV umpire Shawn Craig ruled Rogers was not out because Zampa had completed his action and reached his “highest point of release” before removing the bails.
While they awaited the outcome, the 38,000-strong crowd quickly began to boo Zampa.
The non-striker can be run out if he/she is out of his/her ground up until the moment the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball.
That means when the arm gets to its highest point. (1/2)#MCCLaws | @BBLpic.twitter.com/fWtdJAtIh1
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) January 3, 2023
“The umpires correctly gave the non-striker (Rogers) not out,” Marylebone Cricket Club
Giving Rogers not out was the correct move, according to the defenders of the rules of the game, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is situated at the venerable Lord’s pitch in London.
‘The non-striker is no longer able to be run out in this way after the bowler has reached the highest point in his/her action,” the MCC said in a statement.
“This is so that the bowler cannot pretend to bowl the ball in order to tempt the non-striker out of his/her ground, go through his/her action, and then come all the way round and attempt a run out.”
“The umpires correctly gave the non-striker (Rogers) not out, as the bowler (Zampa) had not attempted the run out before going past the point at which he would normally be expected to release the ball.”
The MCC also offered some advice on how to avoid the drama altogether.
“As with all incidents regarding the running out of the non-striker, the MCC would like to reiterate that the best way for non-strikers to prevent being run out is to remain in their ground until they see the ball released by the bowler,” the statement said.
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