England fast bowler Katherine Brunt sparked debate after her side’s six-wicket defeat to South Africa in the fourth match of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
With South Africa needing seven runs to win off the last four balls at the WACA Ground in Perth on Monday, Brunt stopped in her delivery stride as non-striker Sune Luus moved out of her crease before the ball was released.
Instead of whipping the bails off and running Luus out – a dismissal known as a ‘Mankad’ after the former Indian cricketer who did it in Australia – Brunt held on and returned back to her bowling mark.
When Brunt bowled the next delivery, South Africa’s Mignon du Preez sent the ball over square leg for a maximum as they went on to chase down their target of 124 with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Brunt got a reprieve herself when batting in England’s innings of 123-8. During the 17th over of the innings, South Africa’s medium-pacer Ayabonga Khaka pulled out of her delivery stride when Brunt was backing up at the non-striker’s end.
“I think it was Brunt that got one herself – a warning when she was batting, backing up. Nothing wrong with that at all,” commentator Nasser Hussain said.
Here’s the video:
With the game on the line, Katherine Brunt could have dismissed Sune Luus at the non-striker's end, but opted not to. Moments later Mignon du Preez blasted a game-defining six.
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— ICC (@ICC) February 23, 2020