Australian men’s bowlers including Mitchell Starc have long held the opinion that they are very unlikely to do a Mankad run-out – which is running out the non-striker end batsman who is backing up too far outside the bowling crease.
However, how long will they keep their patience and stick to the intangible ‘Spirit of Cricket’ if a batsman habitually moves out of the non-striker end’s crease before the ball is delivered?
That dilemma of Mitchell Starc was tested on Monday during their World Cup 2023 game when Starc aborted his run-up not once, not twice, but three times when Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera was at the non-striker’s end. Mitchell Starc gave two warnings to Perera – one very vocal, one only by tacit gesture – and by the third time when Starc aborted his run-up, Perera had learned to be inside the bowling crease until the ball is released.
It seemed that the Australians had previously observed Kusal Perera backing up too far outside the bowling crease as it was only in the first over of the AUS vs SL match that Mitchell Starc gave Perera the first warning.
Starc said a few words to both the umpire and Perera, possibly telling them that he was giving them the first warning. But Perera was not taking any words and indicated that Starc could do the Mankad run-out! if he wishes to.
Then, in the 5th over, Mitchell Starc once again stopped his run-up moments before delivering the ball and Perera had once again backed up outside the crease. Starc again didn’t do the Mankad and walked off with some more words to Perera. The third time when Starc stopped, the batter was in his crease. This exchange between the two was posted by the ICC.
Watch: Mitchell Starc warns Kusal Perera twice for mankad; see Perera’s reaction
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CydFXTHPyce/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sri Lanka’s stand-in skipper Kusal Mendis won the toss and elected to bat first.
Teams:
Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
