21 May 2009

Why was he out ?

There was a famous incident in the MCC Bicentenary match described here:

But Gooch wasn't attempting a run so why was he given out ?
We all know that it FEELS as if he should be out but I'm not sure.

7 comments:

Pete said...

If you apply that logic then you shouldn't be out stumped if you are playing a forward defensive and just drag your back foot, as you are also not attempting a run. If Gooch had wondered down to do a bit of gardening then all well and good but he had moved out of his crease when playing the shot so was a legitimate run out target.

Muttley said...

Agreed, although the odd brilliant and ultimately successful such run out / stumping at international level seems to have put it in the mind of every school / university / club cricketer to the throw the ball at the stumps in the hope they have turned into Roger Harper or Jonty Rhodes overnight.

I am afraid you have stumbled across a pet hate of mine. Why do so many wicketkeepers - when standing back - seem to think that they will be quicker in throwing the ball ten yards to the stumps than the batsmen will be in putting their foot back 3 inches??? It also seems to be an affliction most prevalent in Division 29z.

Ed said...

Hmmm. The whole "not attempting a run thing" is a little confusing I admit, but it seems common sense that he should be out. Similarly, if the fielders at silly point or short-leg stop the ball and flick it onto the stumps quickly that should also be out, even when there is no attempt to take a run.

Equally I can remember an opposition player telling me in no uncertain terms (I remember it as the language was particularly fruity!) he could run me out after I hit it softly out to cover, called no, and wandered out to do a bit of gardening as he fielded the stationary ball. I had gone a little early, but as I pointed out to him, I'm sure that had he whipped the ball in and the stumps been broken it wouldn't have been run out as I was clearly not attempting a run. Common sense once again?

Smutts, I can assure you that the keeper chucking the ball at the stumps without success happens in all leagues. We were commenting on that only this Saturday in Sussex Div 3 West or whatever it is I play in....

Pete said...

Of course the Harper incident also led, years later, to Simon Jones pinning Hayden in the Ashes in '05. Surely one of the great moment of this millenium.

Winks said...

Isn't this how Harmison got Inzamam out when we were last in Pakistan? Inzamam dodging the ball and leaving his crease.

Mark Davis said...

We clearly need an umpire on this one - Grov., are you out there ?

GROV said...

The ball must be deemed to be dead before the risk of being run out is over. In most cases common sense should prevail but to be safe the batsman should always check with the fielder first to avoid being given out.

If the batsman asks and the fielder agrees the umpire will determine that the ball is dead otherwise technically the batsman is out.

Having moved from player to umpire, I would suggest that all players learn the laws and spirit of the game. I was amazed to find out how little I knew before I took the umpiring courses!