England thrashed Zimbabwe by 146 runs in Potchefstroom but not before an episode in which the Warwickshire batter Shaikh picked up the ball and returned it to wicketkeeper Ryan Kamwemba
England's Under-19 Cricket World Cup victory over Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom was overshadowed by a bizarre incident in which batter Hamza Shaikh was given out obstructing the field.
Shaikh, who had scored just one when he faced the ninth ball of his innings by left-arm spinner Ryan Simbi, inside-edged the delivery onto his right boot.
Upon readjusting he bent down and picked up the ball and went to throw the ball back to wicketkeeper Ryan Kamwemba, who had left his position behind the stumps to retrieve it.
But once England's No.4 batter grabbed the ball Kamwemba appealed to the umpires and celebrations began as Donovan Koch of Australia and Masudur Rahman of Bangladesh came together to discuss the episode.
The officials then asked the TV umpire Nigel Duguid to rule on the incident which resulted in Shaikh being sent on his way. A short, animated conversation took place with the on-field umpires before he exited, with leaving England three down with just 78 on the board in the 17th over.
"Hamza Sheikh is probably going to be absolutely livid!" 😠
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 3, 2024
Should England's Hamza Sheikh have been ruled out in this Under-19 Cricket World Cup Zimbabwe clash? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nVbMlFaQQm
Law 37, relating to obstructing the field, reads:
Rule 37.1.1: Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.
37.1.2: The striker is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler, he/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat.
This will apply whether it is the first strike or a second or subsequent strike. The act of receiving the ball shall extend both to playing at the ball and to striking the ball more than once in defence of his/her wicket.
37.4: Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder.
Steve Harmison, who played 123 times for England, led the criticism of the decision. While working for Talksport on day two of the second Test between India and England, Harmison was asked about the episode before being shown the footage while on commentary.
Tazeem Chaudry Ali took 7 for 29 to inspire England to victory (ICC)
Speaking before being shown a replay, he said: "We have a way of kicking ourselves between the legs in this great game we love.
"Umpires have got to have more power and sway in the game - common sense doesn't always come into officiating - I don't know why. Common sense would get on so much better if we had some."
He added, after viewing a video of the incident: "I'm sorry that's a shocker. If you're getting given out for that then the game's gone, it really has. How can an umpire give that out?"
England recovered to set Zimbabwe 238 to win the match, eventually winning by 146 runs as their opponents were bowled out for 91 inside 25 overs. Tazeem Chaudry Ali, Shaikh's teammate at Warwickshire and who made his senior debut in last season's One-Day Cup, took 7 for 29 to inspire victory.
It was the final match of England's campaign having missed out on qualification for the semi-finals. India face hosts South Africa and Australia take on Pakistan to determine the line-up for the final which takes place next Sunday (February 11).
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Posted by Andy on 05/02/2024 at 17:12
I agree with Duncan. I have no idea why he would even do that, especially when the keeper's standing up. I wonder where the non-striker was, out of his crease maybe, in which case the ball would be considered live. Still, I don't see why he should be given out, the law needs tightening so that if the ball is stationary and both batters are in their grounds it should be deemed dead ball.
Posted by Duncan Hicks on 04/02/2024 at 22:03
The way i see it...the fielding team is there to field the ball, the batting team is there to bat...leave the fielding to the fielders and wicket keeper and batsman LEAVE the ball alone !!!
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