MCC backtrack on ‘Mankad’ judgement

Cricket's lawmakers MCC appeared to backtrack on the Ravichandran Ashwin ‘Mankad’ controversy on Wednesday when they said that the Indian's running out of Jos Buttler in an IPL game was “not within the spirit of the game”.

Earlier this week, the MCC insisted that the rule governing the 'Mankad' was essential to avoid unrestrained backing-up. England batsman Buttler, playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, was on Monday run out by Kings XI Punjab skipper Ashwinas he backed-up.

The method of dismissal, named after former India player Vinoo Mankad, is legal but is seen by many as going against the game's values, unless the batsman has been warned first. On Wednesday, the MCC's manager of the Laws Fraser Stewart told British media in the UAE that they had now reviewed their original statement.

“Having extensively reviewed the incident again and after further reflection we don't think it was within the spirit of the game," Stewart said. “We believe the pause was too long between the time Ashwin reached the crease and the moment it was reasonable to expect the ball would be delivered.

“When Buttler could have reasonably expected the ball to be delivered, he was in his ground.”

However, he added: "It is also unfair, and against the spirit of cricket, for non-strikers to leave their ground too early. All these debates wouldn't be necessary if non-strikers remained in their ground until the ball is on its way down the pitch."

MCC backtrack on Mankad judgement

Crickets lawmakers MCC appeared to backtrack on the Ravichandran Ashwin Mankad controversy on Wednesday when they said that the Indians running out of Jos Buttler in an IPL game was not within the spirit of the game. Earlier this week, the MCC insisted that the rule governing the Mankad was essential to avoid unrestrained backing-up. England batsman Buttler, playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, was on Monday run out by Kings XI Punjab skipper Ashwinas he backed-up. The method of dismissal, named after former India player Vinoo Mankad, is legal but is seen by many as going against the games values, unless the batsman has been warned first. On Wednesday, the MCCs manager of the Laws Fraser Stewart told British media in the UAE that they had now reviewed their original statement. Having extensively reviewed the incident again and after further reflection we dont think it was within the spirit of the game, Stewart said. We believe the pause was too long between the time Ashwin reached the crease and the moment it was reasonable to expect the ball would be delivered. When Buttler could have reasonably expected the ball to be delivered, he was in his ground. However, he added: It is also unfair, and against the spirit of cricket, for non-strikers to leave their ground too early. All these debates wouldnt be necessary if non-strikers remained in their ground until the ball is on its way down the pitch.