The stump trembled, but the bails remained in place, Is that out or not?
In an odd occurrence that happened during Australia’s Third Grade cricket competition, ACT Premier Cricket, a batsman was declared not out even though the middle stump was knocked over and the bails were still in place on the stumps.
The incident has prompted discussion over the Laws of Cricket, as the on-field umpires failed to award the batsman.
It took place during a game between West District and Ginninderra Cricket Club. Before anyone realized the bails hadn’t been dislodged, Ginninderra bowler Andy Reynolds was celebrating with teammates after seemingly clean bowling Tigers opener Matthew Bosustow.
According to The Canberra Times, the batsman began to leave before realizing that the bails were still in place and turned to return to his crease. Bosustow was given not out by the law following a lengthy conversation between the umpires.
The Law: What Is It?
“The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more stumps are removed from the ground,” according to the Marylebone Cricket Club.
According to Law 29.22, “a bail in falling shall be regarded as complete removal if it lodges between two of the stumps; otherwise, its disturbance, whether temporary or not, shall not constitute its complete removal from the top of the stumps.”
Cricket fans are buzzing on social media over a peculiar incident that occurred during a Melbourne club cricket game. The image of the incident has gone viral, leaving fans divided in their opinions. In this article, we will delve into the details of the incident, explore the relevant cricket laws, and analyze the umpire’s decision.
The Unusual Incident
During the match, the middle stump was disturbed, but to everyone’s surprise, the bails remained intact in their position on the stumps. This led to confusion among the umpires and players, as the usual expectation is that if the middle stump is uprooted, the batsman is considered out. However, in this case, the umpire’s verdict favored the batsman, as the bails did not fall and the middle stump was not completely uprooted.
The Cricket Laws
To understand the umpire’s decision, let’s refer to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s Law 29, which governs the breaking of the wicket. According to this law, the wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps or one or more stumps are struck out of the ground. In this incident, the middle stump was disturbed but not completely removed, and the bails remained in their position. As per the law, if the bails don’t dislodge from the unbroken stumps, the batsman should be given not-out.
Umpire’s Decision
Based on the cricket laws, the umpire made the correct decision by not dismissing the batsman. The fact that the middle stump was not completely uprooted and the bails remained on the stumps supported the umpire’s call. However, the incident has sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, with some supporting the umpire’s decision and others criticizing it.
Historical Parallel
This incident is not the first of its kind. In a U-17 Geraldton Junior Cricket Association match, a similar situation occurred where a batsman was incorrectly adjudged out despite the bails being dislodged but not falling off the stumps. These rare occurrences add to the intrigue of the game and leave players and umpires amazed.
Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring
For a more detailed understanding of such unusual incidents, Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring is a valuable resource. According to this book, if both bails remain on top of the stumps or any part of a displaced bail is above the unbroken stumps, the stumps are not deemed to be ‘down’. In the incident under discussion, both the bails remained on top of the stumps and were not displaced, causing confusion among the umpires and players.
The Correct Decision
Although the bails did not fall off the stumps, the fact that the middle stump was completely uprooted meant that the batsman had to be given out. Despite the initial confusion, the correct decision was reached, ensuring fairness in the game. The incident highlights the precision required for a ball to hit the exact point where the stump doesn’t fly up but goes down instead.
Fans’ Reactions
As the image of the incident went viral, cricket fans took to social media to express their opinions. Some applauded the umpire’s decision, citing the cricket laws, while others questioned the tight placement of the bails on the stumps. The incident triggered a lively discussion among fans, showcasing the passion and engagement of the cricket community.
Conclusion
The unusual incident during the Melbourne club cricket game has captivated the cricket world, igniting debates and discussions among fans. While the laws of cricket provide guidance on such situations, the uniqueness of each incident can still leave room for interpretation. In this case, the umpire’s decision, based on the laws, was the correct one. These extraordinary moments in cricket remind us of the intricacies of the game and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
