England emerged triumphant against Sri Lanka in a peculiar yet justified umpiring decision during the third ODI at The Oval on Sunday, securing the series in an unusual fashion. In a moment that left many puzzled, Pavan Rathnayake was declared out, then not out, and finally out, as the play unfolded.
In the 15th over of Sri Lanka’s chase, Charith Asalanka guided Liam Dawson’s delivery towards short third man where Jofra Archer was fielding. Archer’s swift throw targeted the keeper’s end, with Rathnayake significantly short of his ground when the LED lights on the stumps lit up.
Square-leg umpire Rob White initially adjudged Rathnayake out, opting to consult with his on-field colleague, Wayne Knights, before involving TV umpire Adrian Holdstock. Upon examination of footage, it was revealed that the bails had been dislodged by Jordan Cox’s gloves just prior to Archer’s throw breaking the stumps.
Despite an initial reversal to ‘not out’ on the big screen following a two-minute review, Holdstock reassessed during the drinks break and concluded, after a further 90 seconds, to rule Rathnayake out for 18, leaving the batsman visibly perplexed.
The entire process took around four minutes but adhered to the MCC Laws. Cox had dislodged the bails initially, yet Archer’s throw uprooted the stump, thereby constituting a legitimate wicket-breaking action.
Two Laws underpinned the decision:
– MCC Law 29.2.1.1 states, “The wicket is broken fairly if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or a stump is struck out of the ground by the ball.”
– Additionally, under Law 29.2.1.6, “The wicket is also broken fairly if a fielder strikes or pulls a stump out of the ground.”
Former England batsman Mark Butcher, commentating on Sky Sports, expressed his surprise. “In all the years I’ve played or commented on the game, I’ve never encountered this situation or that particular Law,” Butcher noted. He elaborated on the common understanding that a stump needs to be pulled out with the ball in hand for a run-out, unaware of the Law permitting a throw to accomplish the same.
Tom Banton, who excelled with a maiden international century, shared Butcher’s amazement. “I’ll be honest, I have never seen that before,” he admitted, before light-heartedly mentioning teammate Jamie Overton’s wide knowledge of rules, who was certain of the decision.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), custodians of the Laws, are anticipated to issue further clarification regarding this decision in the upcoming days.
