ICC World Cup 2023: Angelo Mathews' Unconventional World Cup Departure Joins The Ranks Of Unusual Cricket Exits
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Cricket, a sport known for its grace and strategic elements, has witnessed its fair share of unexpected and unique modes of dismissal. From the inception of the 'Mankad' to the controversial departure of Jonny Bairstow at Lord's, the game has been the stage for some peculiar occurrences.
In a World Cup match against Bangladesh in New Delhi, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews etched his name in international cricket history by becoming the first batter to be dismissed through a ‘timed out’ incident on a contentious Monday. Let's now delve into five other unconventional ways in which cricketers have been sent back to the pavilion.
1947: The Mankad Phenomenon
During India's tour of Australia, a legendary incident took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Vinoo Mankad had warned Australian opener Bill Brown about backing up too far at the non-striker's end. When his advice went unheeded, Mankad ran Brown out.
A month later, during the first Test at the same venue, Mankad repeated the act, this time without any warning. This incident sparked a longstanding debate about the fairness of such dismissals, ultimately leading to them being labelled 'Mankads.'
1979: Hilditch's Dismissal
In an acrimonious Test match between Australia and Pakistan, Andrew Hilditch became the first non-striker to be given out 'handled the ball.' Hilditch picked up a stray throw on the pitch and handed it back to Sarfraz Nawaz, a Pakistani bowler. An appeal followed, and under the Laws of Cricket, the umpire had no choice but to rule Hilditch out. The incident raised suspicions of retaliation by Sarfraz after a Pakistan player had been run out for backing up too far.
2002: Drakes' Delayed Exit
The concept of being 'timed out' in cricket was added to the rulebook in 1980 and remains a rare form of dismissal. One notably unusual instance occurred during a South African domestic match in 2002. Fast bowler Vasbert Drakes had been playing for the West Indies in the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and thought he could make it to South Africa in time for a domestic match. However, a severely delayed flight from Colombo left Drakes unable to bat but allowed him to take a couple of wickets on the second day.
2003: Harris' Batting Mishap
In a match for Nottinghamshire against Durham University, seam bowler AJ Harris suffered a groin injury and did not expect to bat. However, as Chris Read closed in on a century, Harris and his runner started to get changed. Unexpectedly, the No. 10 batsman went on to bat and was out third ball. By the time Harris hobbled down to the pavilion steps, he had exceeded the then-stipulated three minutes for his arrival at the crease, and despite no appeal, he was given out. He recalled, "No one appealed, but I was given out nonetheless."
2023: Bairstow's Lord's Controversy
Lord's Cricket Ground witnessed a fiery incident during the last day of the second Ashes Test in 2023. England's Jonny Bairstow left his crease, believing the ball to be dead, only for Australia's wicketkeeper Alex Carey to throw the ball at the stumps. The umpires confirmed the dismissal, causing outrage among spectators. This was not the end of the matter, as a confrontation between Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja and David Warner and MCC members erupted in the pavilion, leading to the expulsion of one member by the MCC.
In a World Cup match against Bangladesh in New Delhi, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews etched his name in international cricket history by becoming the first batter to be dismissed through a ‘timed out’ incident on a contentious Monday. Let's now delve into five other unconventional ways in which cricketers have been sent back to the pavilion.
1947: The Mankad Phenomenon
During India's tour of Australia, a legendary incident took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Vinoo Mankad had warned Australian opener Bill Brown about backing up too far at the non-striker's end. When his advice went unheeded, Mankad ran Brown out.
A month later, during the first Test at the same venue, Mankad repeated the act, this time without any warning. This incident sparked a longstanding debate about the fairness of such dismissals, ultimately leading to them being labelled 'Mankads.'
1979: Hilditch's Dismissal
In an acrimonious Test match between Australia and Pakistan, Andrew Hilditch became the first non-striker to be given out 'handled the ball.' Hilditch picked up a stray throw on the pitch and handed it back to Sarfraz Nawaz, a Pakistani bowler. An appeal followed, and under the Laws of Cricket, the umpire had no choice but to rule Hilditch out. The incident raised suspicions of retaliation by Sarfraz after a Pakistan player had been run out for backing up too far.
2002: Drakes' Delayed Exit
The concept of being 'timed out' in cricket was added to the rulebook in 1980 and remains a rare form of dismissal. One notably unusual instance occurred during a South African domestic match in 2002. Fast bowler Vasbert Drakes had been playing for the West Indies in the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and thought he could make it to South Africa in time for a domestic match. However, a severely delayed flight from Colombo left Drakes unable to bat but allowed him to take a couple of wickets on the second day.
2003: Harris' Batting Mishap
In a match for Nottinghamshire against Durham University, seam bowler AJ Harris suffered a groin injury and did not expect to bat. However, as Chris Read closed in on a century, Harris and his runner started to get changed. Unexpectedly, the No. 10 batsman went on to bat and was out third ball. By the time Harris hobbled down to the pavilion steps, he had exceeded the then-stipulated three minutes for his arrival at the crease, and despite no appeal, he was given out. He recalled, "No one appealed, but I was given out nonetheless."
2023: Bairstow's Lord's Controversy
Lord's Cricket Ground witnessed a fiery incident during the last day of the second Ashes Test in 2023. England's Jonny Bairstow left his crease, believing the ball to be dead, only for Australia's wicketkeeper Alex Carey to throw the ball at the stumps. The umpires confirmed the dismissal, causing outrage among spectators. This was not the end of the matter, as a confrontation between Australian batsmen Usman Khawaja and David Warner and MCC members erupted in the pavilion, leading to the expulsion of one member by the MCC.
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