WATCH: Mitchell Starc issues a stern warning to non-striker trying to leave the crease early

Australia clinched the series against South Africa by beating them in the second Test in Melbourne. Australia scored 575/8 in their first innings after bowling the Proteas out for 189. South Africa’s poor batting performance continued in the second innings, as they continued to lose regular wickets. In the end, they were dismissed for a score of 204 runs, handing a victory by an innings an 182 runs.

While the match was largely one-sided, tempers flared on Day 4 when Mitchell Starc paused in his delivery stride to warn batter Theunis de Bruyn against leaving the crease at the non-striker’s end. The mode of dismissal, commonly known as the ‘Mankad,’ has been used by several players recently, and while the ruling does not require a prior warning to the batter, several cricketers prefer to do so.

As Starc warned de Bruyn, he could be heard on the Stump mic giving the batter a piece of his mind. “Stay in the crease. It’s not that hard. It’s (the crease) there for a reason mate!” Starc said.

 Here is Mitchell Starc’s video

Deepti Sharma, an India women’s all-rounder, recently sparked outrage when she ran Charlotte Dean out at the non-striker’s end for England’s final wicket in an ODI at Lord’s, resulting in India winning the game and the series. Despite the fact that Deepti’s dismissal was legal, many former and current English cricketers criticised her.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s men’s off-spinner, has long advocated for dismissal. In the 2019 Indian T20 League, he used the ‘Mankad’ to dismiss Jos Buttler, which sparked similar outrage at the time. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) recently changed the rules, and this method of dismissal was renamed ‘run-out’.

The MCC later responded to Deepti Sharma’s episode stating, “MCC’s message to non-strikers continues to be to remain in their ground until they have seen the ball leave the bowler’s hand. Then dismissals, such as the one seen yesterday, cannot happen.”