“The Law is clear,” says Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
The Beginning
MCC statement: On Sunday, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) requested that batsmen stay in their crease until the ball leaves the bowler’s hand.
The third ODI between England and India at Lord’s on Saturday came to a dramatic conclusion, dividing the cricketing world, thanks to Deepti Sharma’s stunning run-out of Charlie Dean at the non-end strikers.
The MCC has reminded everyone about the rules. That the off-spin all-rounder and the visitors abided by at Lord’s on Saturday. Deepti and the Indian side have come under heavy fire from a segment of England cricketers. For acting contrary to the spirit of sport.
The Hype
All the hype started when Deepti observed. Charlie leaving the crease at the non-strikers end on the fourth ball of the 44th over. While in delivery stride and removed the bails. Giving India a 16-run win and a 3-0 ODI series sweep over England just as England appeared to pull off an incredible victory over India. Courtesy to Charlie’s batting efforts and her stand of 35 with Freya Davies for the final wicket.
MCC statement
MCC released a statement on Monday saying “The Law is clear, as it needs to be for all umpires to be able to easily interpret throughout all levels of the game and at all moments in the game. Cricket is a broad church and the spirit is no different. As custodians of the Spirit of Cricket, MCC appreciates its application is interpreted differently across the globe.”
The statement also says that “Respectful debate is healthy and should continue. As where one person sees the bowler as breaching the Spirit in such examples. Another will point at the non-striker gaining an unfair advantage by leaving their ground early.”
“MCC’s message to non-strikers continues to be to remain on their ground until they have seen the ball leave the bowler’s hand. Then dismissals, such as the one seen yesterday, cannot happen. Whilst yesterday was indeed an unusual end to an exciting match, it was properly officiated and should not be considered as anything more.”
Similar Incident
Ravichandran Ashwin’s dismissal of Jos Buttler. During a match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the 2019 IPL is the most talked-about similar incident. Given that the non-striker was attempting to steal a few yards.
