The ongoing Big Bash League 2022-23 (BBL 12) saw one of their biggest controversies after Melbourne Stars' captain Adam Zampa attempted a run out at the nonstrikers' end to dismiss Tom Rogers, who plays for the Melbourne Renegades.
Zampa completed his follow-through and was on the verge of releasing the ball to Mackenzie Harvey when he turned back and dislodged Rogers' bails, and signaled to the umpire to give marching orders to the batter. The umpire then reasoned with Zampa that his arm had gone past the 'vertical' -- the point where the ball is deemed to be bowled.
Eventually, the matters went to the TV umpire, who gave Rogers not out claiming the same reason.
Despite it being included in the ‘Run out’ section by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) last year, this mode of dismissal is seen against the spirit of cricket by many. India spinner R Ashwin, who had caused a furor by running out Jos Buttler during IPL 2019 in the same way, shared his thoughts on the BBL incident.
“I am tired of talking or writing about this topic. Every time this incident happens, there are preachers who hop in and start preaching. But the best thing I loved from this whole incident is the stare given by Adam Zampa after running out the non-striker. It was similar to The Undertaker’s stare in World Wrestling Federation. He didn’t even say a word to the batsman. The batsman also stood in silence without knowing whether it was out or not out,” Ashwin began on his official YouTube channel.
“People will talk about the legality of the dismissal. That he has completed his action and stuff like that. But see, he was about to bowl, and the non-striker had started running. In fact, the rule clearly states that you can run anywhere as soon as the bowler releases since he can’t run you out anymore once he releases. If you ask me if the non-striker starts running once the bowler releases, that in itself is an advantage for the non-striker. Because the batsman hasn’t made an impact yet. And I don’t know how many balls come back to the bowler as the batter rarely plays defense in T20,” he said.
Furthermore, Ashwin slammed Stars’ coach David Hussey for his comment that they would've withdrawn the appeal had the batter been given out.
“I don’t believe what he said. Because if you wanted to withdraw the appeal, you need not have taken that to the third umpire itself. You could have easily withdrawn that appeal even before it had gone to the third umpire. First of all, why should you withdraw the appeal? A bowler is running the non-striker out. The captain will say that the bowler is wrong or what? What a big insult that is to the bowler if the captain is withdrawing the appeal,” said Ashwin.
BBL 12: WATCH- Adam Zampa’s run-out attempt at non-striker’s end deemed not out due to rules
"If I am standing there as a bowler and appealing for this dismissal, and if the captain or coach says that they are withdrawing the appeal, it is very insulting. Because once you do that, as a bowler, you will feel that what is the point in bowling when your team is not backing you? My team captain and coach themselves are not backing me. Why should I bowl and win you the game then?
The bowlers will feel depressed once you do that. And David Hussey was like, ‘This is not how you play cricket’. Sir, this is now how you want to play cricket. But for that, you can’t assume and say, ‘This is now how you should also play cricket’. This is absolutely wrong,” said Ashwin further.
(Hindustan Times inputs)
