'Why only bowlers should stick to rules of the game' - Jason Gillespie opines on Mankading law

The match between South Africa and England in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has reignited a debate amongst the cricket fraternity with respect to one of the most controversial laws of the game- Mankading. This mode of dismissal entails the bowler running out the non-striker who is trying to gain an advantage by leaving the crease early.

However, the dismissal has divided the cricketing community where one half thinks its unsportsmanlike, while the other half thinks, it is justified given that the batsmen try to take an unfair chance. This mode of dismissal was first used by Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad on India’s tour to Australia in 1947-48 when he ran out Bill Brown in Sydney Test.

Usually, the bowlers give a warning or two to the offending batter before ultimately running him/her out. However, there have been instances where no warning was given, like in the 2016 U19 World Cup final, where West Indies bowler Keemo Paul mankaded non-striker Richard Ngarava when Zimbabwe needed 3 runs to win the match.

Gillespie calls for batsmen to stay within limits and follow the rules

The debate was reignited when England bowler Katherine Brunt decided not to run South Africa’s Sune Luus out during her bowling stride. While she earned praises from many quarters of the cricketing circles, former Australia bowler Jason Gillespie was not happy with batsmen taking undue advantage.

He took to Twitter and questioned batters across the globe with regards to gaining an advantage in such situations by leaving the non-strikers’ end much before the delivery is bowled. I find it interesting that it’s always the bowler who is questioned in these circumstances re ‘spirit of cricket’. The batter is clearly gaining an advantage yet it is always the bowler that has the focus on them. Stick to the laws of the game,” he tweeted.

I find it interesting that it’s always the bowler who is questioned in these circumstances re ‘spirit of cricket’. The batter is clearly gaining an advantage yet it is always the bowler that has the focus on them.
Stick to the laws of the game. https://t.co/AAgxcJcgrJ

— Jason Gillespie 🌱 (@dizzy259) February 23, 2020

Such dismissals have also changed the course of the game as well, which was seen in IPL 2019 when Ravichandran Ashwin of Kings XI Punjab mankaded Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler and brought the game in favor of his side, as Buttler was running away with the match with his belligerent innings.