England benefited from an unusual but ultimately correct umpiring call during their series-winning third ODI against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Sunday, when Pavan Rathnayake was initially given not out, then later dismissed. The play was completed in the 15th over during Sri Lanka’s run-chase.
Charith Asalanka guided Liam Dawson to short third man, and Jofra Archer’s throw at the keeper’s end landed well short of Rathnayake’s ground. The LED lights on the stumps and bails flashed, and square-leg umpire Rob White initially called Rathnayake out on the field without consulting TV umpire Adrian Holdstock. Following consultation with standing umpire Wayne Knights, White referred the decision.
After about two minutes of deliberation, Holdstock seemed to reverse the original call, as “ not out” lit up on the large screen at The Oval; however, he kept reviewing his decision during the drinks break. After another 90 seconds of consideration, he dismissed Rathnayake, clearly bemused, for 18.
The decision was ultimately correct: although Cox’s gloves had dislodged the bails, Archer’s throw had completely uprooted the stumps, which, under MCC Law, counts as a fairly broken wicket. The decision was based on two specific sub-clauses in MCC Law 29.2, which outlines the proper method for breaking a wicket. Both clauses pertained to the sequence of events at The Oval, and collectively they account for why Rathnayake’s dismissal stood, even though the bails had been dislodged before the ball touched the stumps.
Cricinfo quotes the MCC Law 29.2.1.1 as follows: “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.” Meanwhile, MCC Law 29.2.1.6 reads, “The wicket is also broken fairly if a fielder strikes or pulls a stump out of the ground (as in 29.2.1.5).”
Talking to Sky Sports Butcher said, “What I find hard to believe is that in all the years I’ve either played or commentated on the game, I’ve never seen this before or heard that Law before. Everybody knows that if you break the stumps and the bails come off, then you need to get the ball in your hand and take the stump out in order to affect the run-out. I’ve never heard the sub-Law about the throw knocking the stump out of the ground, and that counting as a dismissal.”
