Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc on Tuesday, October 25th, warned Sri Lanka batter, Dhananjaya de Silva, of leaving the crease early during their T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match in Perth. Before the game kickstarted, the Aaron Finch-led side won the toss and opted to bowl first in their must-win contest. It was in the 5th over of the contest when Australia’s speedster Mitchell Starc was seen giving a warning to Sri Lankan batter Dhananjaya de Silva for leaving the crease too early at the non-striker’s end.
As per the MCC rules, a bowler can run out a batter at the non-striker’s end without giving any warning and it will be considered as a wicket. While the wicket is well within the laws, however, many experts and cricketers believe it doesn’t uphold ‘the spirit of the game’. Recently, India’s Deepti Sharma found herself at the end of criticism after she ran out England’s Charlie Dean at Lord’s in the third ODI during India’s recent tour of England.
Earlier, in the 3rd T20I match between Australia and England just prior to the World Cup, Starc had done something similar. The pace spearhead had warned English captain Jos Buttler for leaving his crease early and had made a bold remark. He had said: “I am not Deepti, but I might do it.” To this Buttler replied: “I don’t think I did.”
During the ongoing match, Starc gave more than one warning to Dhananjaya who seemingly backed up early during his partnership with opener Pathum Nissanka. First, he warned Dhananjaya twice in the 5th over of the innings but did not attempt the run-out at the non-striker’s end. Notably, he continued to chat with Dhananjaya as the drama unfolded at the new Perth Stadium even after the end of the over as well.
Mitch Starc has ignited Australia’s must-win clash against Sri Lanka, warning a mankad could be on the cards in Perth 👀
Follow all the action here: https://t.co/XRP8D2i2oM pic.twitter.com/hgiqz5zdE4
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) October 25, 2022
