DHAKA — West Indies coach Dwain Gill Friday defended a controversial run-out at the ICC Under-19 World Cup which sparked a furore on social media, saying the “Mankad” was well within the rules.
Zimbabwe needed only three runs in the final over with one wicket in hand in Tuesday’s game in the Bangladesh city of Chittagong when Keemo Paul ran Richard Ngarava out without entering his delivery stride, scuppering the African minnow’s hopes of a surprise place in the quarterfinals.
The umpires, who initially did not give the decision, asked the West Indies players if they wanted to uphold the appeal and after receiving confirmation, the matter was referred to the third umpire which confirmed that Ngarava’s bat was not behind the line.
Such a dismissal is popularly known as “Mankading” in cricket referring to Indian left-arm spinner Vinoo Mankad, who dismissed Australian batsman Bill Brown twice in such a fashion in 1947.
“I mean, a law is a law, right?” Gill said when asked for a comment on the controversy ahead of his team’s quarterfinal clash against Pakistan Monday.
But Australian coach Darren Lehmann, England one-day international captain Eoin Morgan and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming led a chorus of outrage against the dismissal, labeling the West Indies’ actions “disgraceful” on Twitter.
Australia recalls Khawaja
In-form batsman Usman Khawaja has been recalled to the Australian side as the world champion fights to stay alive in its One-Day International series against New Zealand Saturday.
Victory for New Zealand at its Westpac Stadium fortress would see it wrap up the series with a game to spare and snap a remarkable run by Australia which has won its last six ODI series and the World Cup over the past two years.
Shaun Marsh was surprisingly preferred to Khawaja in the team thrashed by 159 runs in Auckland Wednesday in the first tie of the three-match series.
Australia has also brought in leg-spinner Adam Zampa for the second round in Wellington to replace injured quick James Faulkner.
Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith (captain), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Josh Hazlewood.
Taylor out, Southee back
Senior New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has been ruled out of next week’s first Test against Australia, putting rising batting star Henry Nicholls in line for his debut.
However, leading strike bowler Tim Southee, who suffered a foot injury in the New Year series against Sri Lanka, has been declared fit to resume international duties. The squad announced Friday on the eve of the second ODI against Australia also includes Matt Henry, New Zealand’s form bowler in limited overs cricket, and Corey Anderson who missed the November Test series in Australia.
Taylor continues to struggle with a side strain suffered during a Twenty20 match against Pakistan last month.
“Henry has been very impressive the way he’s made the step up to international cricket and we’re confident of the job he can do for us in the top order,” coach Mike Hesson said. — Agencies
