The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) acknowledged on Thursday that there are some ambiguities in the law regarding batsmen running out at the end of non-strikers, adding that it would amend the wording of the law to clear up any confusion.
The wording change comes weeks after an incident involving Australian weirdo Adam Zampa in the Big Bash League (BBL).
The Melbourne Stars skipper tried to get a sacking from Melbourne Renegades hitter Tom Rodgers, but was embarrassed by televised referees and embarrassed off-spinners.
When the 30-year-old spinner finished a follow-through and was about to pass the ball to Mackenzie Harvey, he turned and removed the bail on Rodgers and signaled the umpire to give the batter a marching order.
However, undeterred by Zampa’s call, the referee handed off the referee on television. A third referee ruled that Zampa’s arm had crossed the “perpendicular line”, the highest point at which the ball was considered released.
On Thursday, the MCC released a statement regarding his BBL case, saying the referee made the right decision.
However, the MCC added that ambiguity in the wording of the law may have caused confusion.
“In the current trope, some believe that if the non-striker leaves his seat before the expected moment of clearance, a runout can occur at any time, even after the bowler has advanced the bowling action. That was not the intent of this law, nor was it interpreted by the MCC,” the statement said. “It is important to note that this does not change the way the law is interpreted. It has been interpreted as such for the past six years without major misunderstanding. We intend to do so,” the statement added.
The new law is…
38.3.1 At any time between the moment the ball is put into play and the moment a bowler would normally expect the ball to be released, a non-striker must go to the ground when not in position. In these situations, if the bowler throws the ball over the stumps, or if a wicket is knocked down by the hand of the bowler holding the ball, or if the non-striker leaves the ground, the ball is walked out. It will be delivered later. 38.3.1.1 The moment the bowler normally expects to release the ball is defined as the moment the bowler’s arm reaches the highest point of normal bowling action on the slow swing.
38.3.1.2 Even if the non-striker leaves the place before the time the bowler would normally expect to release the ball, once the bowler reaches that point the non-striker may no longer step out subject to the following provisions: This law.
The MCC has announced that the new law will come into force immediately.