While cricket is often referred to as the ‘gentleman’s game,’ it’s not immune to controversies, just like any other major sport. Throughout its history, cricket has witnessed numerous debatable moments, many of which revolve around the dismissal of batsmen.
Controversial dismissals have been a part of the Cricket World Cup, a quadrennial event that stands out in the cricketing calendar. In 2023, cricket enthusiasts and experts have been buzzing about some of the most unusual and contentious dismissals the sport has ever seen.
In this article, we will look at a few of these eyebrow-raising incidents and explore why they have become the talk of the town.
Angelo Mathews’ Timed Out Dismissal
One of the most mind-boggling moments in cricket’s history occurred on November 6, 2023. Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews became the first cricketer in international cricket to fall victim to a ‘timed out‘ dismissal during the 2023 World Cup group stage match against Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. This unprecedented incident left the cricketing world divided.
In the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings, Angelo Mathews was due to take the strike, but he was delayed due to a problem with the strap of his helmet. Bangladeshi captain Shakib Al Hasan seized this opportunity and appealed for Mathews’ dismissal, citing that he had taken more time than allowed to take strike. The on-field umpire upheld the appeal.
According to the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) law 40.1, “a batter has to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement of a player. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.” However, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 playing conditions specified a two-minute limit for a batsman to get on strike before being declared timed out. Mathews’ bizarre dismissal raised questions about the rules and the interpretation of ‘timed out’ in modern cricket.
Airstow’s Bamboozling Stumping
One of the most talked-about moments in 2023 was during the Ashes series in the UK, where Alex Carey executed a stumping that left Jonny Bairstow flabbergasted. Bairstow ducked under a bouncer from Cam Green and started walking out of his crease, thinking it was the end of the over.
However, Carey, aware that the ball was still alive, under-armed it at the stumps. Bairstow was caught off guard, assuming the over had ended, but the Australians celebrated the unexpected dismissal. This moment ignited a fierce response from the Lord’s crowd and sparked a debate about whether it was in the “spirit” of the game.
Deepti Sharma’s Controversial ‘Mankad’, 2023
In a women’s one-day international in 2023, India’s Deepti Sharma created a major stir by “mankading” England’s Charlie Dean. A “Mankad,” named after Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, is when a bowler dislodges the bails at the non-striker’s end with the batter out of their crease.
Sharma’s action secured India a victory and a 3-0 series win while also raising questions about the ethical aspects of such dismissals.
Danushka Gunathilaka’s Obstructing the Field, 2021
Another controversy unfolded when Danushka Gunathilaka was judged to have obstructed the field during a match. In the 21st over, Gunathilaka trod on the ball while Kieron Pollard attempted to make a run-out. Pollard immediately appealed, and the on-field umpire gave a soft signal of out, which was later confirmed by the television umpire. This incident further fueled the ongoing debate about the intricacies of obstructing the field dismissals.
Kiwi Batsman’s Unlucky Deflection, 2022
Sometimes, misfortune plays a significant role in cricket dismissals, as seen in 2022 when New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls was caught against England in a Test match. While facing Jack Leach, Nicholls struck the ball back down the pitch, only for it to deflect off the bat of his partner, Daryl Mitchell, at the non-striker’s end and be caught at mid-on. This bizarre dismissal left both players and spectators in disbelief and raised questions about the game’s unpredictable nature.
Fanyan Mughal – Hitting the Ball Twice, 2023
In 2023, cricketer Fanyan Mughal from Malta was dismissed in a unique manner. He became the only player to be declared out for hitting the ball twice at the international level. This rare form of dismissal occurs when the striker deliberately strikes the ball again with their bat or person before a fielder has touched it.
Ben Stokes’ Glove Controversy, 2015
In a one-day international match between England and Australia in 2015, Ben Stokes was involved in a peculiar dismissal. He drove a ball back to Mitchell Starc, who quickly aimed at the stumps as Stokes came down the pitch. As Stokes tried to protect himself by raising his glove, the ball crashed into it. This incident led to a spirited debate about whether the dismissal was intentional and whether it was in the spirit of the game.
In cricket, controversies and bizarre dismissals are part of what makes the sport exciting and unpredictable. These incidents, from timed outs to Mankads and more, add to the colorful tapestry of cricket history, reminding us that even in the ‘gentleman’s game,’ unexpected twists and turns are always around the corner.
