I was watching highlights of the third test between New Zealand and India recently and saw a remarkable dissmissal. Rahul Dravid had been playing a few paddle sweeps from Dan Vettori. Brendon McCullum saw him shaping to play another one, and with the ball still only half way down the pitch on its journey to the batsman he took off as quickly as he could down the leg side so that by the time Dravid made contact, McCullum was effectively at a close leg slip position. Dravid paddled the ball straight into his midriff and McCullum held onto the catch. This was obviously a planned move as Ross Taylor, who was at first slip also moved accross and was basically covering McCullum in the event that Dravid missed the ball. It was an awesome piece of cricket.
I briefly wondered wether it was legal, or in the spirit of the game, but provided he doesn't move before the ball is bowled I don't have a problem with it.
11 April 2009
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5 comments:
No it is not legal under Law 41. It constitutes unfair play and the correct decision is a Dead Ball, more serious sanctions if it is considered deliberate.
Fair enough. But why is it that batsmen are allowed to effectively change hands while the ball is on its way down and the keeper can't mave two metres?
I don't know which law 41 is, but surely it can't be illegal....can it Grov??? All fielders move before the batsman plays their shot, so it would seem chirlish to stop the keeper doing it. And it's something that's been done without success a lot - even in club games I've played in, and internationally by Prior and Collingwood.
So, like Pietersen's switch-hit, it would seem chirlish to suggest it's illegal as soon as it's successful.
Could you elaborate on law 41 Grov???
This is the law verbatim. I think the logic is that the fielder must not distract he batsman but this has now got confused with "switch-hitting" that is a distinctly separate subject.
7. Movement by fielders
Any significant movement by any fielder after the ball comes into play and before the ball reaches the striker is unfair. In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball. Note also the provisions of Law 42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker).
It all comes down to the interpretation of the word "significant" then I guess. Most fielders move a step or two based on the backlift of the batsman and the way they are shaping to hit the ball so that would seem not to be deemed significant. I'd argue that it's quite difficult to move a significant way between when the ball comes into play and the batsman plays it when even slow bowlers bowl at 40mph+ - you'd have to be Usain Bolt!
But each umpire would have to decide for themselves I guess - that common sense law comes into play again!
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