Yorkshire's captain Joe Root showed sportsmanship during their encounter against Lancashire. He refused to run out Steve Croft who fell while going for a run in the T20 Blast match on Saturday (July 17).
The incident happened in the 18th over of Lancashire's chase when they needed 15 runs from 18 deliveries. Lancashire’s Luke Wells played a delivery from Mathew Waite towards mid-off and went for a quick single.
Croft, at the non-striker’s hand, was hesitant for single but he ran for it. Unfortunately, he suffered a cramp and fell in middle of the run.
Yorkshire had an opportunity to dismiss him but they went against it; showing sportsmanship. "As a side, we made a very difficult decision under pressure," Root said.
"(Croft’s injury) looked very serious at first glance. In many ways it was a relief it was nothing serious. I am sure there will be many opinions. Many people would have handled it differently."
Croft praised Yorkshire for the decision and said, "Two games in two days at 36 (years old) and a bit of sun has done me. I put the brakes on, they worked, and my legs just cramped up. I didn't know where the ball had gone.
"They could have taken the bails off and credit to them that they didn't."
Lancashire won the match by four wickets while chasing 131 runs with 6 balls left. Luke Wells scored an unbeaten 30 runs and picked up a wicket in the match to get the Player of the Match award.
