Former Australian umpire Simon Taufel has put his weight behind Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin. The experienced off-spinner had Mankaded Jos Buttler and had to take a lot of criticism. However, many former players, as well as the analysts, had co-related the spirit of the game with the laws of the game.
In fact, if Mankading is within the laws of the game, then how can it be against the spirit of the game. Meanwhile, the latest law suggests that it is not compulsory for the bowler to give warning to the non-striker.
Taufel backs Ashwin.
It should also be noted that the non-striker takes an undue advantage in the modern game as he backs down the pitch.
“My view on this particular issue is that it has nothing to do with the spirit of cricket. During our discussion, we spoke at length about Law 41.16. The intent of the law is that the non-striker should not leave their ground at the bowler’s end before the ball is delivered.”
Taufel believes that the laws are there in the game as the batsmen should not take undue advantage of charging down the pitch.
“This is why the ICC has stipulated within their regulations and interpretations that the bowler can dismiss the non-striker run out up until the bowler’s arm reaches the top of the delivery swing,” ESPN Cricinfo quoted Taufel as saying.
Meanwhile, Simon Taufel believes that all Ashwin did was he made an appeal to the umpire and then the decision was left to the third umpire. Bruce Oxenford was the third umpire and he gave the decision in favour of Kings XI Punjab. Taufel says that blaming Ashwin is not fair.
Not fair to blame Ashwin.
“All Ashwin did was appealed to the umpire for a run-out dismissal. He stopped short of delivering the ball and did not go through with his delivery swing. For him to be subject to adverse commentary that amounted to character assassination regarding his supposed contravention of the spirit of the game, is incredibly unfair in the way the Laws are written and the way they are to be applied,” Taufel said.
“Both the on-field umpire and the third umpire did not feel he deceived the non-striker by waiting too long before breaking the stumps within dealing with the appeal – the ball was deemed by them to be still within play,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin had to take the flak for mankading Jos Buttler. The game is titled in favour of the batsmen and it makes sense that the game is played within the laws of the game as well as in the right spirit.