WATCH – UP bowler Shiva Singh sparks debate with a unique twist to his bowling action

The video is of Uttar Pradesh spinner Shiva Singh from the Under-23 CK Nayudu match between Uttar Pradesh and Bengal.

The video is of Uttar Pradesh spinner Shiva Singh from the Under-23 CK Nayudu match between Uttar Pradesh and Bengal | Twitter

The world of cricket is filled with weird and unique things. From George Bailey’s unique stance which faces the slips to Lasith Malinga’s slingy action; the cricketing world has seen everything weird.

The raging debate that is ongoing is whether the bowlers should be allowed the same leeway as batsmen when it comes to changing their stances and playing shots like switch-hit and reverse sweep. Experts have argued that bowlers should also be allowed to change bowling hands mid runup to get even.

Something similar was seen in a video clip shared by Indian bowling great Bishan Singh Bedi. In an Under-23 CK Nayudu match between Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, UP spinner Shiva Singh turned 360 degrees during his bowling jump before delivering the ball, which the batsman managed to defend.  

However, umpire Vinod Seshan called it a dead ball sparking a prolonged debate between the umpires and UP fielders. Seshan and Ravi Shanker, the square-leg umpire, had discussions with them immediately to explain the reason behind the decision.

Now the debate in this is whether the bowling action was legal or not and umpire was correct in calling it a dead ball. Law 41.2 on Fair and unfair play clearly says umpires have the right to judge whether an action by a player is fair or not.

"The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play. If either umpire considers an action, not covered by the Laws, to be unfair he/she shall intervene without appeal and, if the ball is in play, call and signal Dead ball," the law states.

Law 41.19 dealing with 'Unfair actions' too stresses on the above powers with the umpires. It states, "If an umpire considers that any action by a player, not covered in the Laws, is unfair, he/she shall call and signal Dead ball, if appropriate, as soon as it becomes clear that the call will not disadvantage the non-offending side, and report the matter to the other umpire."

A different Indian domestic umpire suggested that "If he bowls all balls like that, then he may bowl. But if he bowls only one ball like that, then a dead ball is the right call," the umpire said. "It is a debatable point overall, but in this scenario, the umpires did a wonderful job by diffusing the issue in the bud by calling a dead ball as it may be distracting the striker.

"If the striker moves out and this happens continuously then there may be an issue of time wasting, so it's best to inform the bowler that this is not acceptable if you do one off. If you bowl all deliveries like that then the umpires may allow,” he added.

(Inputs: news18.com/cricketnext)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 08 Nov, 2018

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