Sports

ACA chief executive on run-outs backing up: ‘It shouldn’t be the word Mankad’

Published

4 years ago

2023/01/8

The chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association has called for the term ‘Mankad’ to be removed from the sport’s language and said that the players have a key role in removing the stigma around the dismissal.

The mode of dismissal – which ESPNcricinfo now refers to as run out backing up – has been back in the headlines in recent days after Adam Zampa’s failed attempt against Tom Rogers in the BBL at the MCG. A few days earlier, Mitchell Starc had given Theunis de Bruyn a warning for backing up during the Boxing Day Test.

“I don’t think it’s a debate, think it’s very black and white, it shouldn’t be the word Mankad,” Todd Greenberg told SEN radio during the Sydney Test. “I agree the players have a role in eradicating that term, it’s a run out at the non-striker’s end.

“In a game played where centimetres, even millimetres, make the difference, if the onus and responsibility is on the bowler to stay behind the line at the point of delivery then the onus and responsibility should be on the batter to do similar.”

Greenberg added it was vital for players in the professional game to lead the way so that those involved at lower levels, and youngsters coming up, could see them setting the example.

“Players have a huge opportunity to change language and tone,” he said. “And that correlates right down through participation because this is not just an issue at the elite level, it will be an issue in an Under-12s game on a Saturday and it will put parents and volunteers under huge pressure if they don’t see what’s happening at the elite level. The kids at that level replicate what happens on the field.”

In the aftermath of Zampa’s run-out attempt, there appeared to be a divide in the Melbourne Stars team with coach David Hussey saying it was not the way to play the game but Zampa largely standing by his actions. Greenberg acknowledged that getting all players and those involved in the game at a senior level on the same page would be a challenge.

“Sometimes we have to have hard conversations and sometimes you have to square up players and say this is what’s better for the game,” he said. “I’d be saying to all players, former players and coaches, if you stay behind the line you don’t have this conversation.”

The MCC has attempted to remove the stigma attached to the dismissal by moving it from unfair play to run out in the Laws of the game. There remains some debate about whether the wording of the Law is clear enough, particularly around the element of a bowlers’ point of release, which was key in the recent Zampa example.

(Cricinfo)

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UAE keep semi-final hopes alive after convincing win over Indonesia

Published

10 hours ago

2026/09/5

Priyan

Five different UAE bowlers took wickets on Friday evening (Asian Cricket Council)

A complete performance from UAE’s bowling unit kept their semi-final hopes alive at the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup, skittling Indonesia for 73 and then completing the chase with six wickets to spare. They now have to beat Bangladesh on September 8 and also hope other results go their way.

UAE were on top right from the first ball courtesy offspinner Suraksha Kotte, who starred with 3 for 16. Kotte struck with the first two balls of the innings, dismissing Indonesia opener Maria Corazon and No. 3 Ni Luh Dewi for first-ball ducks. UAE captain Esha Oza (2 for 11) then dismissed the other opener Rahmawati Pangestuti in the fourth over.

Indonesia captainN8 Puu Ayu Nanda Sakarini top-scored with a lone hand of 39 off 52 balls, with four fours and a six, accounting for 53.4% of Indonesia’s runs. But with little support, they could not find a way back in and were bowled out for 73.

Slow left-arm spinner Heena Hotchandani (2 for 6) and seamer Samaira Dharnidharka (1 for 12) also got among the wickets. Legspinner Vaishnave Mahesh struck twice in the 20th over to clean up the tail.

UAE openers Theertha Satish and Oza put on 17 for the first wicket. After losing Theertha in the fifth over, Oza hit two boundaries in each of the sixth and eighth overs. No. 3 Rinitha Rajith then hit three fours off Sofia Velic in the ninth over.

A brief wobble followed for UAE as they slid from 62 for 1 to 68 for 4. Oza fell for a 29-ball 30 at the start of the 11th over to Ni Ariani and Velic grabbed two wickets in the 12th. However, with only six runs needed, UAE wrapped up the chase at the start of the 14th over, the tournament hosts securing two points with 41 balls to spare. This was also Indonesia’s final match of the campaign, bowing out with losses in all three games.

Scores:

UAE Women 75 for 4 8n 13.1 overs (Esha Oza 30, Rinitha Rajith 22; Ni Riani 1-10, Sang Maypriani 1-17, Sofia Velic 2-25) beat IndonesiaWomen 73 in 19.4 overs (N8 Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini 39, Desi Wulandari 12; Suraksha Kotte 3-16, Heena Hotchandani 2-06, Esha Oza 2-11, Samira Dharnidarkha 1-12 ) by six wickets

(Cricinfo)

Sports

Rasara, Puvitharan rewrite meet records as National Athletics Championship begins

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Rasara Wijesuriya

The 104th National Athletics Championship got off to an impressive start at the Diyagama Stadium, with Rasara Wijesuriya and Arunthavarasa Puvitharan producing record-breaking performances on an action-packed opening day.

‎Rasara dominated the women’s 10,000m to win the gold medal in 33:32.77 seconds, setting a new meet record in the process. G. W. O. N. Fonseka finished second in 38:25.55, while H. I. S. Fernando took the bronze in 39:00.69.

‎Puvitharan provided another record-breaking highlight in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.10m to establish a new meet record. H. S. Eranga Janith followed with 5.00m for silver, while M. H. I. Sandaruwan secured bronze with 4.90m.

‎The men’s 10,000m produced a closely contested battle, with M. Kobinathan claiming the national title in 30:58.50. M. S. A. Fernando was second in 31:10.08, while D. P. S. S. Senanayaka completed the podium in 31:22.72.

‎As expected Madushani Herath secured the women’s triple jump title with a best effort of 13.60m, finishing ahead of I. S. W. Arachchi, who recorded 13.13m. G. I. S. Lankathilaka took third with 13.00m.

‎In the men’s shot put, Suseenthirakumar Mithunraj produced a winning throw of 16.41m to take gold. W. J. R. Alwis was second with 14.91m, while R. S. Jayawardana secured bronze with 14.47m.

‎Ovini Chandrasekara completed the women’s shot put podium-topping performance, winning gold with a throw of 12.82m. V. D. V. Gimhani took silver with 12.29m and A. D. W. Mendis won bronze with 11.84m.

‎With two new meet records already providing the opening-day highlights in thr morning, the championship has begun on a high note, setting the stage for further strong performances as Sri Lanka’s leading athletes battle for national honours.

Sports

Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando ruled out of T20I series in England

Published

15 hours ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Charith Asalanka is currently playing for St Lucia Kings in the CPL (Cricinfo)

Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.

The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.

Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.

Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.

Asalanka returned to the leadership group three months after being deposed as ODI captain and six months after being sidelined from the T20I unit. He last played a T20I in February this year, but is currently part of St Lucia Kings’ line-up at CPL 2026. His returns have been mediocre, though: 93 runs at a strike rate of 124 from six innings.

The T20Is will be played on September 15 (Southampton), September 17 (Cardiff) and September 19 (Manchester), while the ODIs will take place on September 22 (Chester-le-Street), September 24 (Leeds) and September 27 (The Oval).

Sri Lanka T20I squad for the tour of England

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka

(Cricinfo)