Sri Lanka A began their chase in the ongoing unofficial ODI against India A at 10 for no loss, even before facing a ball. Here’s why.
Vipraj Nigam runs onto the protected area twice after warning to give Sri Lanka A 10 penalty runs
Bowling all-rounder Vipraj Nigam scored his first List A fifty, batting at No.9, to take India A to a fighting total of 265 in Dambulla. His knock, which ended in a bizarre run-out, was eventful otherwise as well: he was penalised twice for running onto the protected area of the pitch, which cost India A 10 runs. As a result, Sri Lanka A began their chase with 10 runs already on the board.
Anukul Roy had received the first warning from on-field umpires for running onto the protected area. As per clause 41.14 of MCC’s Laws of Cricket, “It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area in playing or playing at the ball, he/she must move from it immediately thereafter. A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.
“At the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence. The bowler's end umpire shall then warn both batters that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform each incoming batter. Inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.”
Nigam, who walked in after Roy’s dismissal, was informed that the warning was in effect, but went on to repeat the infringement twice, once in the 35th over and then again two overs later. As a result, the fielding side were awarded 10 runs, thus starting their chase at 10-0.
“If there is any further instance of deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch by any batter in that innings, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence. The bowler's end umpire shall disallow all runs to the batting side, return any not out batter to his/her original end signal no ball or wide to the scorers if applicable. Award five Penalty runs to the fielding side,” the laws state.
Interestingly, India A received five penalty points as well when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella couldn't collect the ball cleanly off a Kugathas Mathulan delivery, and it went on to hit the helmet placed behind him.
India A were reduced to 143-7 upon Anukul Roy’s dismissal in the 33rd over when Nigam joined Suryansh Shedge in the middle. The duo added 104 runs for the eighth wicket in 90 deliveries to rescue the innings and take them to a respectable total. Shedge, too, hit his first-ever List A fifty, finishing at 72 off 66.
Image courtesy: SonyLiv
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