Australia star David Warner has reacted to the MCC's latest law updates, most specifically the rule of legalising running out the batter at the non-striker's end for backing up too much, earlier known as 'Mankad'. The Australia opener said that although the mode of dismissal will now be considered just like any other dismissal, it could still bring up the 'spirit of cricket' debate. (Also Read: Stuart Broad says 'Mankad' requires 'zero skill' and will remain 'unfair', draws enormous backlash from fans on Twitter)
"I still think the history of the game suggests it's a spirit of cricket thing. You don't expect players to do that. I do agree with the fact that if you are backing up, and you're out of your crease by a long way (you are fair game)," Warner said from Karachi, where the second Test between Australia and Pakistan is going to be held.
The amend in laws has mostly been well-received, barring the exception of Stuart Broad. The debate gained a lot of momentum back in 2019 when India spinner, R Ashwin, representing the Punjab Kings (former Kings XI Punjab) had run out Rajasthan Royals batter Jos Butter at the non-striker’s end for backing up too much.
In the same season, when Sunrisers Hyderabad squared off against the Kings, SRH’s captain Warner ensured he kept his bat behind the crease as Ashwin paused while delivering the ball, sensing that he may attempt another one of those dismissals. Having said that Warner did admit that if the batters find to gain advantage by moving out of the crease, they have only themselves to blame.
"I think it happened more predominantly at the end of a white-ball 50-over games, or obviously in T20 cricket we've seen it but at the end of the day, as a batsman, you've got to stay in your crease. There's no doubt about that, and if you're silly enough to get caught out like that and run out, that's your own fault. You're told not to leave before the bowler lets the ball go, so just don't do it," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"I think it happened more predominantly at the end of a white-ball 50-over games, or obviously in T20 cricket we've seen it but at the end of the day, as a batsman, you've got to stay in your crease. There's no doubt about that, and if you're silly enough to get caught out like that and run out, that's your own fault. You're told not to leave before the bowler lets the ball go, so just don't do it," he added.
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