AUS vs SA | Twitter reacts as angry Mitchell Starc's mankad warning to Theunis de Bruyn triggers 'spirit of cricket' debate again

12/29/2022

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Whenever bowlers dismiss batters at the non-strikers’ end via ‘mankading’ the discussion around the spirit of cricket is triggered with the mode of dismissal often in the firing line. Mitchell Star sparked the debate once again not by dismissing Theunis de Bruyn but by issuing him a stern warning.

With one more day remaining for the Sydney Test, South Africa are in deep trouble as they required more than 200 runs to score to recover the first-innings lead with only three wickets in hand during the second session. Temba Bavuma showed some resistance for the visitors and was fighting a lone battle in the second innings. Australian bowlers were impressive throughout the innings but Mitchell Starc made waves with his actions in the morning session.

Starc was bowling the 19th over of the innings and Theunis de Bruyn was leaving the crease early at the non-strikers’ end. The Australian left-arm quick stopped his action midway before delivering the fourth ball of the over and de Bruyn was way ahead of the crease at that moment. The bowler got angry with de Bruyn for trying to take unfair advantage and was seen taking a dig at the batter. He didn’t run out the batter but was heard saying ‘stay in your crease, it’s not that hard’.

The incident spurred a debate around the spirit of cricket and users also got involved in the heated discussion on social media.

Not that hard!

"Stay in your crease, it's not that hard!"

Part 2 of Starc v de Bruyn 👀 #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/I6bPWXAOSX
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 29, 2022

Think of it!

Come to think of it, Starc should’ve had the foresight to follow through on his warnings to de Bruyn
— Will Cuckson (@willcucko) December 29, 2022

Starc warned Bruyn

"Stay in your crease, it's not that hard"

Mitchell Starc warned Theunis de Bruyn not once but twice for not backing up.

But, why Starc didn't run him out?#AUSvSA
— Vishnukumar GD (@ItsGDTweets) December 29, 2022

Knows the Aussies

Starc warns De Bruyn once. But he knows the Aussies won’t run him out THAT way. Let’s say he keeps venturing out as many times as possible! How many times will it take for their highnesses to come down and effect a run out at the non striker’s end? @ashwinravi99 @bhogleharsha
— Sid Audhinarayanan (@sidaudhi) December 29, 2022

Anti mankad

I'm (in)famously anti-mankad but what just went down with Starc and De Bruyn almost made me change my mind #AUSvSA
— Charles Goodsir (@charlie_goodsir) December 29, 2022

Really weak

De Bruyn really weak mentally. A couple of words from Starc and he's gone #AUSvsSA
— Action Bailey (@Fathairylazy) December 29, 2022

Mind games

Starc warning de Bruyn is as much mind-games when trying to bowl SA completely out as it is actually wanting to mankad him @bbctms #cricket
— Carling Darling (@RallierOfTroops) December 29, 2022

Fair game now~

Mitchell Starc has warned de Bruyn twice now about leaving his crease. So to my mind it's fair game now. #AUSvRSA
— TheBilby (@bilby361) December 29, 2022

Too early

And Starc has warned Theunis de Bruyn quite a few times for leaving the non-striker's crease early.

Soon, Boland dismisses him, courtesy of a good catch from @marnus3cricket at 2nd slip. #AUSvSA
— Arijit Kundu (@_arijitkundu_) December 29, 2022

Stay in!

“Stay in your crease, it’s not that hard” says Mitchell Starc. Beware of the mankad Theunis de Bruyn. 😬 #AUSvSA
— Andy Cleave (@CleaveO) December 29, 2022

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