Joe Root believes that Ravichandran Ashwin’s ‘Mankad’ dismissal of Jos Buttler is a “good warning” for England’s batsmen ahead of this year’s World Cup.
In Rajasthan Royals’ match against Kings XI Punjab on Monday, England’s Buttler was run out by Ashwin, who took off the bails at the non-striker’s end after stopping in his delivery stride, with the batsman out of his crease.
While Root claimed that the dismissal was not something he would look to enact, he acknowledged that batsmen will now have to be more wary when backing up.
AB de Villiers has had his say on the Mankad debate.https://t.co/GAuyfvP1fX
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 28, 2019
“It’s not something I’d like to be involved in,” said Root. “I wasn’t too impressed personally but it’s within the laws of the game as a lot of people have said.
“I think it’s a good warning for us now – I’m glad it’s not happened to us in a World Cup final for example, or in a World Cup game. It’s a decision that Ashwin made in the heat of a game. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t be involved in that or make that decision personally.”
The run out of Buttler has caused confusion for MCC, the game’s lawmakers. On Tuesday, they released a statement arguing that Buttler could have been given out or not out depending on the interpretation of Law 41.16.
Sky Sports commentator @BumbleCricket has weighed in on the debate surrounding Ravichandran Ashwin’s run out of Jos Buttler in the IPL. https://t.co/0WKIygJCO6
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 26, 2019
The following day, Fraser Stewart, MCC manager of the Laws, told the Telegraph: “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.”
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Root has called for more clarity on the law, particularly with the possibility of more bowlers enacting the dismissal.
“I think you know that some people might be looking to do that now,” he added. “Umpires being really clear on what is out and what is not out is going to be really crucial, and making sure that everyone’s on the same page with it – making sure that there are no inconsistencies is very important, and having the clarity there for everyone playing the game.”
