MCC makes dramatic U-turn on Ravi Ashwin’s ‘Mankad’ dismissal of Jos Buttler and blasts the Indian bowler
Cricket's law-making body has now decided the controversial run-out was not in the spirit of the game
The MCC has slammed Ravi Ashwin's controversial run-out of England star Jos Buttler, stating it was not 'within the spirit of the game'.
Bowler Ashwin ran Buttler out during an Indian Premier League match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals on Monday, removing the bails after he pulled out of a delivery as Buttler backed up.
The type of dismissal is known as a 'Mankad' after the former India all-rounder Vinoo Mankad did it in a Test match against Australia 72 years ago.
Cricket's law-making body had earlier directed more of the criticism towards Buttler than Ashwin, by saying he should've remained in his ground, but they appear to have made a dramatic U-turn on the incident.
The MCC's laws manager Fraser Stewart has now looked again at the footage, and he told the : "Having extensively reviewed the incident again and after further reflection we don't think it was within the spirit of the game.
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"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.
"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."