‘You cant pull out that late’ – Twitter divide over batter controversially withdrawing at last moment in Australia vs Pakistan Women’s game

Pakistan Women are currently on a tour to Australia for a three-match ODI and a three-match T20I series. The ODI leg of the series concluded on Saturday (21st January), with the host whitewashing the Women in Green.

In a very controversial event from the last match of the series, fans have been asking questions. Tahlia McGrath bowled a straight delivery onto the stumps in the 27th over of the second innings, but the batter Nida Dar left it at the last moment after the ball was released.

Here is the video of the incident from the Australia vs Pakistan match

The ball was eventually dubbed a dead ball, but it sparked a massive internet debate. While some fans thought that a batter could not pull out this late and that the decision should have been overturned, others thought that the batter was in the right if she was distracted.

A user pointed out law 20.4.2.5 that said if the umpire feels that the batter was distracted, he/she can pull out at any time. “The striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, makes no attempt to play it. Provided the umpire is satisfied that the striker had adequate reason for not being ready, the ball shall not count as one of the over,” reads law 20.4.2.5.

If Dar was initially prepared to face the ball before being distracted, law 20.4.2.6 would apply, which states that a dead ball is signalled if “the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery.”

Rachael Haynes, former Australia captain, on Fox Cricket, said: “I was always under the impression that when you were in your stance and tapped your bat down, you were ready to accept the delivery. Nida Dar needs to be a bit careful there.”

Alex Blackwell, former Australia, cricketer, felt that Dar wasn’t at fault: “I thought that was fair; she didn’t see the ball.”