Australia unleashed carnage in their chase against Scotland in the first match of the series today, racking up a world record for runs scored in the powerplay. However, in a controversial incident, Mark Watt was denied Josh Inglis' wicket after the Australia batter pulled away after the ball was bowled.
Having been set 155 to get in Edinburgh, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh made light work of the total after Jake Fraser-McGurk was dismissed in the first over. The pair hit an astonishing 113 runs in the powerplay, including 14 consecutive boundaries, Head the main aggressor on 73 off 22 balls by the end of the sixth over.
The first ball of the seventh over saw Marsh dismissed by Watt for 39 off 12, with Inglis coming out at No.4. Sending down his first delivery to Inglis, Watt pulled out one of his trademark tricks and released the ball way before the crease line, darting it into the pitch. Having taken his guard at the crease and seemingly ready to face the delivery, Inglis stepped back from his stumps when Watt had already released the ball. The ball went on to hit his stumps and Watt appealed for the wicket.
However, Inglis indicated that he hadn't been ready to face the ball, despite only pulling out once the ball was on its way to him. The umpire sided with Inglis and declared the ball dead, and therefore the wicket did not stand.
"He's definitely looking up at Mark Watt," said former Scotland captain Preston Mommsen on commentary.
Marcus Stoinis employed the same tactic when facing one of Watt's 24-yarders later in the innings, also stepping back from the crease once the ball was bowled. While the ball did not hit the stumps that time, it was still declared dead and Watt was required to bowl the delivery again rather than pick up a dot. There were boos from the home Scotland crowd at the decision going against their side.
Under MCC Law 20.4, an umpire can signal a dead ball when "the striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, make no attempt to play it. Provided the umpire is satisfied that the striker had adequate reason for not being ready. The ball shall not count as one of the over."
Watt's 24-yarders have previously caused controversy. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he was denied a wicket when Oman's Khalid Kail pulled out of playing the delivery and the ball hit the stumps. In that situation, the umpires also sided with the batter, and signalled a dead ball.
MCC Law 20.4 also states that an umpire can signal a dead ball when "the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive or receiving a delivery. This shall apply whether the source of the distraction is within the match or outside it."
Interpreted leniently, Watt delivering the ball from several yards behind the crease could be interpreted as a distraction, and therefore justifiable grounds for the ball to be called dead.
Australia won the game easily, chasing down their target before reaching the 10 over mark.
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