The International Cricket Council today announced a host of rule changes – including a significant change to the most controversial dismissal in the sport.
The running out of a non-striker encroaching out of his crease by the bowler is now legitimised after being moved from the “Unfair Play” section of the rules to the “Run Out” section.
“Running out a non-striker for backing up too much will now be considered as a regular run out,” the ICC said.
The dismissal was famously dubbed a “Mankad” named after India bowler who ran out Australia batsman Bill Brown in the 1948 Sydney Test, and has ignited debate just about every time it has been used since then.
Don’t Risk Missing Australia’s Tour of India LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Cricket on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MORE COVERAGE
TALKING POINTS: Star who ‘could win you a tournament’: Finch under fire
Long Aussie wait set to finally end as ‘super impressive’ bolter nears T20 debut
Aussies lose THREE WC heroes as triple blow opens door to explosive bolter
Indian spin star Ravi Ashwin has been a notable proponent of the infamous dismissal, which was long viewed as an act of sportsmanship. He first dismissed a batsman on the international level in a 2012 ODI against Sri Lanka in Brisbane, before sparking another global storm by dismissing English star batter Jos Buttler in the 2019 Indian Premier League.
But in a move designed to recognise the changing sentiment towards the action, the global body has now made a decisive statement with the latest rule update.
Next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia will be the first major tournament to be played under the new playing conditions.
In other rule changes which will be enacted from October 1 around the world, a new batter will face the next ball at the striker’s end – even if the dismissed batters have crossed ends before a catch.
“Previously, in case the batters crossed before a catch was taken, the new batter would be at the non-striker’s end,” ICC said.
A temporary ban on using saliva to shine cricket balls was made permanent, while the time limit for incoming batters has been reduced.
The time to take strike in Tests and one-day internationals is now reduced from three minutes to two while in T20 internationals it remains at 90 seconds.
One of the other new rules says if fielders make any unfair and deliberate movements while the bowler is running in to bowl, the batting side can be awarded five penalty runs.
The ICC said the ban on saliva to shine one side of the ball to help it swing through the air, brought in May 2020 as a temporary measure to prevent coronavirus transmission, would stay.
“The ban on saliva use has been in place for over two years in international cricket as a Covid-related temporary measure and it is considered appropriate for the ban to be made permanent,” an ICC statement said.
Bowlers will no longer be allowed to attempt to run out the striker by advancing down the wicket before entering their delivery stride and throwing at the stumps. If they make such an attempt, it will be called a dead ball.
Another change allows the use of hybrid pitches at all men’s and women’s one-day and Twenty20 internationals.
Hybrid pitches, a blend of natural grass with artificial turf, have only been previously used in women’s T20 internationals.
