Watch: Ryan ten Doeschate withdraws a run out appeal in the County championship

The game of cricket has sadly witnessed a diminishing spirit of cricket off late with batsmen holding their ground even after nicking the ball, fielders claiming catches after grassing them and constant name-calling in the name of sledging.

However, in a County Championship match in England between Middlesex and Essex, Netherlands international and former Kolkata Knight Rider Ryan ten Doeschate upheld the spirit of cricket by withdrawing an appeal for a run-out after a horrible collision on the field.

It all started when Middlesex batsman Stevie Eskinazi faced Kiwi fast bowler Neil Wagner while John Simpson was at the non-striker’s end. Eskinazi mistimed the ball from Wagner and tried to sneak in a run towards mid-off.

Meanwhile, Simpson at the non-striker’s end was busy gazing at the ball as Wagner tried to stop the single latching towards the ball. As a result, Simpson and Wagner were involved in a terrible collision.

Both Eskinazi and Simpson were left stranded at the other end while the fielder nonchalantly walked towards the striker’s end and dislodged the bails. After a long discussion, ten Doeschate withdrew his appeal thereby displaying that Spirit of Cricket is still alive amidst the cut-throat competition prevalent in the sport these days.

While the move baffled many fans as to why he wasn’t dismissed even after Beard dislodged the bails, Doeschate’s move remains under laws of books. The subsection 1 of Law 27 (Appeals) from Marylebone Cricket Club’s laws states that “Neither umpire shall give a batsman out, even though he may be out under the Laws unless appealed to by a fielder”.

Furthermore, subsection 8 of Law 27 also states that the captain of a fielding side can withdraw an appeal after it’s made (here in the form of removing the bails) if he feels so. Players should be inspired by the act of the Dutchman to reinstate the reputation of the Gentlemen’s Game.

Watch the video here:

SPIRIT OF CRICKET:
Wonderful sportsmanship as @JohnSimpson_88 is floored by Wagner, @seskinazi is stranded & @EssexCricket withdraw appeal?? pic.twitter.com/p23A9dlLJS

— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 22, 2017