Like it or not, the Mankad is here to stay.
A stigma has historically been attached to the controversial dismissal.
With many considering it unsportsmanlike, bowlers have been scared to act on batters sneaking extra yards before the ball has even been delivered.
Now, with the power of numbers, they’re fighting back, and the internet is blowing up in response.
Watch BBL12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The latest example of the controversial dismissal came as Pakistan’s Zaib-un-Nisa whipped off the bails against Rwanda’s Shakila Niyomuhoza in an U19 Women’s World Cup clash in South Africa overnight, sending the internet into a frenzy.
Journalist Isabelle Westbury called it “glorious”, while fellow reporter Melinda Farrell noted on Twitter the increasing prevalence of the dismissal, being highlighted multiple times in the Big Bash as well as during the third men’s Test between South Africa and Australia in Sydney.
“Bowlers seem to be more willing to effect this type of run out on the big stage,” Farrell said.
“Will be interesting if we see it happen at the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup and Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Surely batting teams will be more wary of backing up.”
Comedian Matt Okine dismissed the stigma, calling it the “stupidest narrative ever sold to players and fans alike.”
Others have seen the humour in the unique dismissal.
Cricket comedian Dave Tickner and journalist Adam Collins gleefully imagined the “chaos and fun” that could unfold if the dismissal were to be employed by the Australians against England in this year’s Ashes series, given the very public and strong anti-Mankad stance English cricketers have taken in the past.
There’s even a cricket club called the Murrumbidgee Mankadders, based in Tarcutta, an hour-and-a-half north of the Victoria-NSW border.
They’ve taken the opportunity to jump on the Mankad’s rising popularity, teaming up with Kyle Adams for a photo opportunity, best known as the viral “disgrace to subdistrict cricket”, after he ran out Kew’s Andrew Chalkley earlier this year.
The cultural tide is shifting on the Mankad, once the preserve of questionable characters and rule book nerds, with Ian Chappell writing in a piece for Cricinfo that “nonstriker run outs shouldn’t be as complicated as they are.”
Closer to home, Sydney Sixers star Dan Christian became the latest player to be embroiled in the Mankad debate, pulling out of his action with the Perth Scorchers needing 17 from the final eight balls.
The 39-year-old stared down the nonstriker, English international Stephen Eskinazi, who was unbeaten on 62.
“That’s your warning mate, that’s your warning,” Christian yelled.
