The Star (Jamaica)
3 February 2016
The West Indies Under-19 team ignited a Twitter storm in the wee hours of yesterday morning (Jamaica time) during their Under-19 Cricket World Cup group match against Zimbabwe in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
West Indies Under-19 won the match in controversial fashion by two runs after pacer Keemo Paul, during his run-up, broke the stumps and appealed for a run-out against non-striker, Richard Ngarava at the start of the final over of the innings. The on field umpires sent the decision to the fourth umpire and the Zimbabwe batsman Richard Ngarava was declared ‘run out’ with his bat on the line.
The decision, though legal, caused quite an uproar on Twitter. Many believed the move was ‘just not cricket’ and undermined the gentleman’s game. Others backed the umpires’ decision as it was a legal dismissal.
Below are some of the comments:
David Coltart a Zimbawean who is a former Minister of Sport in that country said: Today is the West Indies’ day of shame – our batsman clearly trying to stay in his crease – this is just sneaky.
Former CNN night show host Piers Morgan @piersmorgan has 4.8 million followers and he had several tweets on the incident, here’s one: Disgraceful piece of Mankad cheating by West Indies U19s – shame on them all.
Elton Phiri @elton_phiri: Zimjbabwe Under19s have been ROBBED. Poor sportsmanship #CWCU19 #Heartbroken
Silas Lekgoathi @pencilsncrayons: West Indies just robbed Zimbabwe in broad daylight.
English cricketer Eoin Morgan @eoin16: Disgraceful behaviour in the U19CWC. WI’s should be embarrassed.
Windies pacer Tino Best @tinobest: Smart play WIU19 keep pounding boys.
West Indies allrounder Carlos Brathwaite @TridentsportX: Congrats WI U19
Cricket commentator and former England player David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd @BumbleCricket: Mankad’s always controversial. If batsman blatantly gaining ground, bowler within rights … this latest seemed harsh on the batsman IMO (in my opinion).
Cricket commentator Mike Haysman @MikeHaysman: A Mankad should only be allowed if an official warning was issued first. What a poor end to an entertaining tussle.
Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie @YCCCDizzy: Debate the laws of the game sure, however, I don’t agree with criticising a player for playing within the laws of the game.
NOTE: Vinoo Mankad, a former Indian spinner, ran out non-striker Australia batsman Bill Brown during a Test in Sydney on the 1947 tour. Running out a non-striker while the bowler is in his run-up thus became known as a ‘Mankad’.