MCC declare Mankading legitimate and fair

Cricket365
July 17, 2014

The controversial Mankad method of dismissal, which dominated the headlines during the Sri Lanka ODI series in England recently, has been deemed fair and legitimate by the Marylebone Cricket Club.

The controversial Mankad method of dismissal, which dominated the headlines during the Sri Lanka ODI series in England recently, has been deemed fair and legitimate by the Marylebone Cricket Club, who uphold cricket's laws.

The MCC, at their recent meeting that included cricketing greats like Steve Waugh, Mike Brearley and Rahul Dravid, deemed Jos Buttler's dismissal by Sachithra Senanayake perfectly fair, saying Buttler was at fault.

At the time, England were furious that Buttler had been run out at the non-striker's end by the bowler before delivery, but it was legal, and Buttler had been warned more than once for back up too far.

The MCC deemed Buttler to be trying to gain an unfair advantage, and added that it was not required for the fielding captain to withdraw the appeal, or even warn the batsman at all. They said Mankading did not contravene the mythical 'Spirit of Cricket'.

The MCC said: "The unanimous view of the committee was that if the non-striker is out of his ground earlier than allowed in either the Laws of Cricket or the International Playing Conditions, then he can have no complaints should he be dismissed in this manner.

"Furthermore, the committee believes it was not against the Spirit of Cricket to uphold such an appeal, and urges batsmen to ensure they do not try to gain an unfair advantage by moving out of their crease before the appropriate time."