Bowlers running out batters at the non-striker’s end for backing up too far used to be a rare occurrence once. However, such dismissals have become quite common in recent times.
While the ICC amended its rule book in October 2022 and declared that run-outs at the bowler's end won’t be considered “unfair play” anymore, this mode of dismissal still triggers the spirit of cricket argument.
Amid the debate, the World Cricket Committee of the MCC, the custodian of cricket laws, has called for non-striker end run-out to be normalised at all age-group levels.
Last month, MCC changed the wording of the law after Adam Zampa’s failed attempt to run out Tom Rogers at the non-striker’s end during a Big Bash League (BBL) match.
The World Cricket Committee of the MCC, which met at the ICC headquarters in Dubai last week, is now calling for calm across all levels given that the act of running out a non-striker for stealing ground is well within the laws of the game.
“The overriding factor is that there is a simple way that all confusion and controversy around this form of dismissal can be eradicated – by non-strikers complying with the Law and remaining within their ground until they have seen the ball being released from the bowler’s hand,” MCC said in a statement.
“Part of the discussion in Dubai touched on the growing narrative for the bowler to be vilified for this type of dismissal. The committee members were unanimous in their view that the batter stealing ground is the one breaking the Laws of the game and therefore deserving of recrimination.
“They were also in agreement that there is no precedent to require a bowler to give a warning to a batter, confirming they are completely within their right to dismiss the batter on the first occasion they break the Law,” it added.
The World Cricket Committee of the MCC comprises some of the greats of the game, including Kumar Sangakkara, Sourav Ganguly, Justin Langer, Alastair Cook, with Mike Gatting being the chairman.
“The bowler is not the villain here. Every batter has a choice; to stay in their ground, or risk being given out if they try to steal ground. If they choose the latter, they are the ones who are breaking the Law,” Sri Lankan batting legend Sangakkara said.
Gatting added: “We have seen suggestions that this method of dismissal will be attempted more and more at recreational level and there is the possibility of matches descending into chaos. Whilst attempts may increase in the short term, we would expect batters to learn their responsibilities under the Laws very quickly and drive it out of prominence.”
Although MCC has provided clarification on the implementation of law, the timing of when the run out can be attempted is unchanged since 2017.
“Our stance on this is simple batters must not steal ground if they do not wish to be given out in this manner. Nor should they be expecting to be given a warning if they do.
“If all non-strikers only left the popping crease once the ball had been released, there would never be the need for such a dismissal again,” Gatting stated.
(With PTI Inputs)
