England Women vs India Women: Heather Knight involved in a bizarre run-out in second T20I

India bounced backed in style by beating England in the second T20I by eight runs. It was a terrific performance by the Women in Blue, especially from their spinners, who held their nerves while defending 148. The match turned on its head when the home team was cruising along, needing just 44 runs from 42 balls.

It all started when skipper Heather Knight was dismissed via a controversial run-out. The right-hand batter was caught out of the crease at the non-striker’s end but had to contend with Deepti Sharma, who unintentionally came in the Knight’s way. The ball hit Sharma’s boot before it hit the stumps.

The decision was immediately sent upstairs to check if Knight had made it to the crease, and also to check whether she had made any contact whatsoever with Sharma. After a lot of deliberation, the decision was eventfully made and the England skipper was given out for 30 runs.

Apparently, cricketer-turned-commentator Alex Hartley was not pleased by the umpire’s verdict and said on the Test Match Special radio coverage, ‘Is that not obstruction?’

Meanwhile, Mark Butcher, who was in the broadcast panel said, “The question is, has the bowler obstructed the batter from getting back in? It certainly wasn’t intentional, was it? In that case, Heather Knight’s out.”

According to Law 41.5, with regards to obstruction of batters, states, “It is indeed unfair for any fielder to willfully come in the way of batters, either by word or action, either by deceiving, or obstructing, after the striker has received the ball. The umpires then have to decide whether such acts from the bowlers and fiddlers are done willfully, or by distracting the batter.”

India levels T20I series with England, stays alive

After the win in the second T20I, India has now bridged the points in the multi-format series against England. The home team has eight points, while the visitors have six points. With the last T20I set to be played at Chelmsford on Wednesday, July 14, India now has a chance to win the T20I series as well drawing the multi-format series with eight points.

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