‘Doesn’t mean you can still leave early’- Mitchell Starc’s Mankad warning to Jos Buttler

The much frowned upon Mankading seems to have found acceptance in world cricket after unwavering Indian support. Ravi Ashwin, ran Jos Butler out in a 2019 Indian T20 League match after the batter gained an unfair advantage on the non-striker’s end. Ashwin has since then become a proponent of the runout and has spoken against the game going into batters’ favour.

Recently, Indian Woman cricketer, Deepti Sharma ran England batter Charolette Dean out in a similar fashion following which many England men and women cricketers criticised the player. What followed was a much-needed discussion around the subject with most speaking in favour of the ‘legal’ form of dismissal. Even those who don’t like ‘Mankading’ saw batters gaining unfair advantage as wrong and unjust.

Now, Jos Butler seems to have found himself at the centre of discussion yet again after being accused of gaining an unfair advantage in Australia- England third T20I match.

The incident took place in the fifth over of the match when Mitchell Starc was bowling to David Malan. It was when that Starc found Butler to come out of his crease and warned him of his acts. The Australian bowler appeared to say, “it doesn’t mean you can still leave early,” to which the England batter replied, “don’t think I did.”

Many tweets and screenshots however have since then emerged that show, the England captain coming out of his crease even before the ball has been bowled. Many on social media hailed Starc for abiding by the spirit of cricket and warn the player. Many however also called out the Butler for doing the same for which he has been punished earlier by Ravi Ashwin.

A tweeter user by the name Soubhagya said, “Mitchell Starc warns Jos Buttler to not to leave crease.” Why is it always an English player…..Always…!!!!Why!!!.”

As for the match, it had to be abandoned due to rain. The match was earlier turned into a 12-over game due to a late start in which England made 112 runs batting first. Australia struggled after coming on to chase the target as they lost three wickets at just 17 runs. Rain gods turned up again and the match had to be abandoned in the fourth over.

England won the three-match T20I series by 2-0.