AUS vs SL: Mitchell Starc's 'Mankad' warning to Kusal Perera divides cricket fans

It was clarified that Mitchell Starc had previously informed the umpire to monitor the non-striker during his bowling stride.

Mitchell Starc and Kusal Perera

In the 14th match of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, both Australia and Sri Lanka, each having suffered two consecutive losses, faced off in a crucial encounter. Fans were anticipating an intense battle, but opinions diverged when Australian pacer Mitchell Starc issued a 'Mankad' warning to Sri Lankan opener Kusal Perera instead of dismissing him at the non-striker's end. The warning was delivered as Perera left his crease prematurely during Starc's bowling action.

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Following an unsuccessful LBW review off the first ball of the innings, Starc noticed Perera attempting to gain an advantage. Rather than delivering his fourth delivery, Starc halted and advised Perera, "Don't leave your crease," as recounted by cricketing legend Nasser Hussain. Additionally, it was clarified that Starc had previously informed the umpire to monitor the non-striker during his bowling stride. This incident ignited a debate among cricket enthusiasts.

In the last delivery of the third over, Starc once more interrupted his bowling action, but it appeared that Perera remained within his crease.

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Nonetheless, fans began to question the necessity of such warnings. Some posed the question: In a high-stakes final match, would the fast bowler persist in cautioning batters, who could potentially change the course of the game, not to infringe the crease?

However, there are those who considered this action to be in the "Spirit of the Game" and were happy with his warning.

What is 'Mankad'?

The 'Mankad' dismissal has its origins dating back to 1948 when Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad famously ran out Australian batsman Bill Brown during a Test match in Sydney. However, it gained significant attention and popularity after Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) bowler R Ashwin ran out of Rajasthan Royals' (RR) Jos Buttler during the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

This dismissal method has since sparked intense debates among cricket enthusiasts. Nevertheless, following the Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) modifications to the Laws of Cricket last year, running out the non-striker during a bowler's delivery stride has been recognized as an acceptable practice. The MCC has made several adjustments to the Mankad rule and altered its wording over the years.

38.3.1 At any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be run out if he/she is out of his/her ground. In these circumstances, the non-striker will be run out if he/she is out of his/her ground when his/her wicket is put down by the bowler throwing the ball at the stumps or by the bowler’s hand holding the ball, whether or not the ball is subsequently delivered.

38.3.1.1 The instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball is defined as the moment the bowler’s arm reaches the highest point of his/her normal bowling action in the delivery swing.

38.3.1.2 Even if the non-striker had left his/her ground before the instant at which the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, once the bowler has reached that point it is no longer possible for the bowler to run out the non-striker under this Law.

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