Kingston Hawthorn bowler Sen Sathyajith has sparked a major sportsmanship debate in Australia’s cricket community, after vision of him performing two ‘Mankads’ in the final overs of a second XI game against Casey-South Melbourne went viral.
With the Hawks defending 203 on Saturday afternoon, the opening bowler would first run out batter Isaiah Jassal at the non-striker’s end to leave the Swans 8-181, before repeating the dose just a few overs later for the final wicket of the match, securing a tense 13-run win.
The Mankad has long been one of the most divisive aspects of cricket, with some arguing the move is against the spirit of the game, while others claim it is a fair way to run out a batter attempting to gain extra metres while backing up.
Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin famously reignited debate over the legality of the ploy in the 2019 IPL, when he ran out England star Jos Buttler in a moment that shocked the cricket world.
While Sathyajith did nothing illegal – the laws of the game stipulate that a bowler may perform a Mankad at any point before they enter their delivery stride – his decision divided opinion when local reporter Paul Amy revealed the story on Twitter.
Bit of drama in the @vicpremcricket Second XI today after the bowler, without delivering the ball, ran out the batsman at the non-striker’s end. It was the last wicket of the match and apparently the second such dismissal of the innings.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) February 19, 2022
Among the responders was former Victorian first-class cricketer and current St Kilda captain Adam Crosthwaite, who replied: “This is horrible. Cannot believe the people in this post praising the bowler. Are you kidding?”
This is horrible. Cannot believe the people in this post praising the bowler. Are you kidding?
— Adam Crosthwaite (@AJCrosthwaite) February 19, 2022
However, many of the other replies supported the bowler, with suggestions batters Jassal and Sachin Halangode were themselves cheating by backing up too early.
Who reckons the batsmen was cheating? pic.twitter.com/nYhMFT0QHx
— Sam Coates (@SamCoates228) February 19, 2022
If the batter stayed in their crease it wouldn’t have been an issue, yeah?
— Andrew Donnison (@Donno79) February 19, 2022
Outstanding by the bowler! When will the batsman learn to stay in their crease and not cheat! It’s not that hard and certainly no drama! Off you walk!
— Lachie Buszard (@Lachiebuzz) February 19, 2022
The Herald Sun reports that Premier Cricket manager Liam Murphy is investigating the incident.
“That’s [further reports from the match] something that will be determined in the next 24 hours or so.”
The match was reportedly a spiteful encounter even before the twin Mankads, with Casey-South Melbourne president Shaun Petrie telling the Herald Sun Cricket Victoria have contacted the club to confirm an investigation into the match will be undertaken.