Australia was seen as the leading star at Ashes test but are lagged behind in the ongoing finals. They were seen bowled out for just 225 runs in a chase of 294. During the second day’s play, there was a unique incident stuck on everyone’s eyes.
It happened when Steve Smith was running back from the non-striker’s end to get back to the crease. While he was about to reach the crease, the England wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow acted as if the ball had come into his gloves thereby concerning the batsman of getting run-out. Bairstow just imitated as if he was striking the wickets with the ball in his hands when the throw had come at the bowler’s end.
Then, Steve Smith was seen diving on to the creases to save himself from run-out. It was clearly seen that Bairstow had violated the fake fielding rule which was introduced by the ICC recently.
Steve Smith was in no danger of being run out here … but Jonny Bairstow made him think he was! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/YajKdVcmc8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 13, 2019
According to the ICC rules, if a player violates the ‘fake fielding’, the umpires are entitled to award five runs to the opposition team. But both the on-field umpires, Kumar Dharmasena and Marais Erasmus, didn’t feel the need to do so which has left out as a big question mark.
After the day’s play, in the post-presentation ceremony, Smith was asked about the incident.
“He got me there, didn’t he? Dirtied my clothes. He didn’t say anything, I don’t think but he got me. I didn’t know where the ball was. Bloody thing. Faked it. He got me. I don’t know what else to say,” – Steve Smith said.
Earlier, during Australia’s domestic One-Day tournament umpires had penalized Magnus Labuschagne and the team for violating the same rule. Also, Kumar Sangakkara had once bluffed Ahmed Shehzad during an ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Later on, MCC’s Laws of Cricket manager Fraser Stewart stated that it up to the umpires to decide if the fielder had faked the fielding.
“The Sangakkara example is less clear-cut. Technically, he is deliberately attempting to deceive the batsman, but I’m not sure what advantage he is gaining – not that the gaining of advantage needs to be proved. It seems to be done more out of jest than out of an attempt to cause confusion and prevent a run being scored.
Under the letter of the Law, one could not argue with the penalty being imposed. Equally, however, an umpire might choose to handle it by having a quiet word and informing him of the new law. As with any law like this, it is always going to be for the umpires to decide what is “deliberate” and what is “deception”.” – Fraser Stewart said.
Australian cricketer Andrew Tye, as well as some fans, pointed out that England’s fack fielding should have been penalized as per the new laws against mock fielding.
Is that not fake fielding? #Ashes
— Andrew Tye (@aj191) September 13, 2019
Why wasn’t Bairstow penalised for fake fielding? #Ashes19
— Paul McGavin (@TutorMcGavin) September 13, 2019
5 penalty runs for fake fielding pretty simple really 🤷♂️
— Martin Garoni (@MartinGaroni) September 14, 2019
Is that not fake fielding? As much as I hate the rule, isn't that why it's there?
— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) September 13, 2019
where’s our five-run penalty for fake fielding? #Ashes
— Luke Byrnes (@lukee_byrnes) September 13, 2019
Jonny Bairstow with the fake fielding there but only the Aussies cheat.
— Lee (@leehemmings91) September 13, 2019
Remember this if Australia loses by five runs or less. #Ashes @FakeFielding https://t.co/jlKhIhkuas
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) September 14, 2019
Why wasn’t Bairstow penalised for fake fielding? #Ashes19
— Paul McGavin (@TutorMcGavin) September 13, 2019
