ICC approve 'Mankading' and DRS for catches

ICC umpire Kumar Dharmasena

The new playing conditions for Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) have come into effect with the series between Bangladesh and South Africa, with some notable changes being about incorporation of technology and an approval of the ethically dubious type of dismissal called ‘Mankading’.

‘Mankading’ refers to a bowler attempting to run out the non-striker instead of delivering the ball on his run-up, and owes its name to Indian left-arm spinner Vinoo Mankad for an act committed in a match against Australia in 1947. Frowned upon by purists as an act breaching the spirit of the game, Mankad’s ingenuity of almost 70 years ago has now been vindicated by the ICC.

The amendment says: "The bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to deliberately attempt to run out the non-striker."

DRS for catches and SpiderCam

Another amendment that has been made by the ICC is to allow players to opt for the Decision Review System for catches they feel have or have not carried, if they do not agree with the on-field umpire’s call.

The rule says: "If the umpires use an Umpire Review to answer an appeal for a Caught decision, for either a fair catch or a bump ball, the request for a Player Review of that Caught decision may be made by either team within 15 seconds of the result of the Umpire Review being communicated."

An other amendment to the rules has been made in view of the SpiderCam, which has revolutionised watching cricket on television by providing a panoramic view of the pitch.

“The on-field umpire can now use the TV umpire to assist in detecting whether the ball has been in contact with any part of SpiderCam - the camera, its apparatus or its cables above the playing area.”

In addition to the amendments to the playing conditions, a revised ICC Code of Conduct will come into effect on Wednesday, 8 July.

The rule changes that have created a sensation are about the number of fielders required inside the inner circle and free hits for no-balls. Only time can tell how effective or how accepted these rules will become.

A newspaper report of the first instance of Mankading: