MCC makes new amendments to non-striker run out rule after Adam Zampa's decision overturned in BBL

The custodians of cricketing laws, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has decided to remove the ambiguity regarding run out at the non-strikers’ end with immediate effect. This happened in the wake of a controversial incident featuring the Melbourne Stars skipper Adam Zampa in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2022.

During the Stars’ encounter against city rivals Melbourne Renegades, Zampa had dislodged the bails during his follow-through as non-striker Tom Rogers advanced down the wicket. However, to his dismay, the run out appeal was turned down by the television umpire Shawn Craig who justified that the leggie’s bowling arm was well past the point at which he would have originally released the ball.

What does MCC rule say?

Meanwhile, MCC has come forward and stated that while the match officials’ assessment was correct with regards to giving his verdict on running out a batter at the non-strikers’ end, the gatekeeper of the cricketing rules has also given more clarity on this rule.

As per the amended Law 38.3.2 which came into effect on Thursday, January 19: "Even if the non-striker had left his/her ground before the instant at which the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, once the bowler has reached that point, it is no longer possible for the bowler to run out the non-striker under this Law."

“However, we acknowledge that while this Law has generally been understood well by players and umpires, there is ambiguity in the wording which could lead to confusion”, it read.

At the same time, MCC also has made it clear that the new interpretations will not change the law in any manner and their main intention was to make things more clearer.

"It is important to note that this does not change the way the Law should be interpreted - it has been interpreted that way for the past six years, without much misunderstanding. However, the intention is that this will make things clearer."

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