IPL 2019 | MCC side with Jos Buttler over R Ashwin in ‘Mankad’ row

IPL 2019 | MCC side with Jos Buttler over R Ashwin in ‘Mankad’ row

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MCC had earlier voiced it’s support towards Ravichandran Ashwin, stating that Mankading was not against the laws of the game, however, they have now changed their stance and have said that the incident was ungentlemanly. Supposedly, this development comes after extensively reviewing the incident.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Kings XI Punjab skipper, had ‘mankaded’ Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Butler in an Indian Premier League match on March 25, which the former’s team went on to win by 14 runs. Since then, there has been a huge row surrounding Mankading and the spirit of the game. 

Many former cricketers and analysts had criticised Ashwin for his acts, but Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had come in support of the off spinner, stating that, “Some feel that Ashwin delayed his action to allow Buttler the chance to leave his ground, and that, Buttler was in his ground when he expected the ball to be released. If it was a deliberate delay, that would be unfair and against the Spirit of Cricket. Ashwin claims this not to be the case.”

“With batsmen now being deemed in or out by millimetres by TV replays on quick singles, it is right that they should remain in their ground at the non-striker’s end until it is fair for them to leave,” added the Lord’s cricket ground based club.

However, Fraser Stewart, MCC’s manager of the Laws, had come out with contrasting views about the same on Wednesday.

“Having extensively reviewed the incident again and after further reflection we don’t think it was within the spirit of the game. 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,” explained Stewart, as reported by The Telegraph.

There was a heated exchange of words on the field between Buttler and Ashwin, and the Royals’ dressing room also did not seem very happy with the the third umpire’s decision and Ashwin’s dismissal, without any prior warning.

Shane Warne, the Royals’ brand ambassador, had gone on to call Ashwin’s act as ‘disgraceful and embarrassing’. But the MCC had dismissed all the talks around ‘Spirit of Cricket’. However, Stewart has come out with a rather bizarre statement.

“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. Buttler, it is fair to say, did not make a concerted effort to get back into his crease after Ashwin had delayed his delivery, and didn’t help himself in that respect.” he said.

Stewart even went on to justify his statement and brushed aside the claims that the MCC had changed course on the issue, “We didn’t come down either way (in the original statement). We now think at the key moment Buttler was in his ground.”

Last but not the least, Stewart had put the onus on the players to play in the “Spirit of the game” and maintain the sports dignity.

 “Ultimately the game is for the players and they’ve got a responsibility to work out how they want to play it and set an example to grassroots cricketers as role models, by upholding standards to preserve the game and particularly the Spirit of Cricket – for future generations,” he expressed.

 “The Spirit of Cricket (the preamble to the Laws) is as relevant now as it has ever been. It is important that cricket is played in accordance with the Spirit of the game as well as within the Laws,” he signed off.

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