Melbourne Stars captain Adam Zampa injected spice into the Big Bash League derby at the MCG on Tuesday night when he attempted to Mankad Renegades tailender Tom Rogers.
In the 20th and last over of the Renegades’ innings, Rogers backed up too far and Zampa took off the bails. Batsman and umpire both looked at Zampa as if to ask whether he was issuing a warning or appealing. Zampa made it clear that he meant to claim the wicket.
To a backdrop of boos from Renegades fans, the standing umpire Gerard Abood checked with TV umpire Shawn Craig, who ruled that Zampa had completed his action and therefore Rogers was not out. There was still an edge between the teams when the innings ended two balls later.
On this ground less than a week ago, Australian fast bowler Mitch Starc twice warned South African batsman Theunis de Bruyn about backing up in the second Test.
“I had a word to him last night because he was doing it yesterday. And then he was halfway down Punt Road when I was stopped,” Starc said later.
“He said he’s not doing it on purpose. I’ve got to keep my foot behind the line, so you could at least keep your bat behind the line.”
Umpire Gerard Abood, centre, Tom Rogers of the Renegades, left, and Adam Zampa of the Stars have words. Credit:Daniel Pockett, Getty
The Mankad is a legitimate, but rarely deployed means of dismissal that ruffles feathers whenever it is attempted.
Zampa bowled brilliantly to help restrict the Renegades to 7/141.
More to come.
