IND vs NZ: Brad Hogg Opens Up On Umpire Richard Kettleborough’s Controversial Virat Kohli Wide Fiasco

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg backed umpire Richard Kettleborough’s decision not to call a wide during the India-Bangladesh World Cup match. Brad Hogg questioned the bowler’s tactic of intentionally bowling wide to prevent a batter from reaching a milestone.

Virat Kohli ended his World Cup century drought after a controversial non-wide call by Richard Kettleborough. Nasum Ahmed bowled the first delivery down the leg side when Virat was on 98 runs. However, the umpire didn’t call it a wide when India needed two runs.

However, the 34-year-old smashed a six off a full toss and notched up his 48th ODI century. He also reached his first century in a run chase in the last four years. The hosts registered a convincing seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday, October 19.

KL Rahul Helped Virat Kohli Get The Milestone – Brad Hogg

Reflecting on Richard Kettleborough’s decision, Brad Hogg questioned the ethics of a bowler intentionally bowling a wide ball to prevent a batter from reaching a milestone.

“Right call, by experienced umpire Kettleborough. Game was over, Rahul helped Kohli get into a position to get the milestone. What should be done if the bowler deliberately bowled a wide to prevent a batsman achieving a milestone?” Brad Hogg tweeted.

Right call, by experienced umpire Kettleborough. Game was over, Rahul helped Kohli get into a position to get the milestone.
What should be done if the bowler deliberately bowled a wide to prevent a batsman achieving a milestone? #WC2023 pic.twitter.com/7ncbaDIRD8

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 22, 2023

In March 2022, the MCC revealed a fresh Code of Laws scheduled for implementation on October 1, which would impact Clause 22.1.

“In the modern game, batters are, more than ever, moving laterally around the crease before the ball is bowled,” read a statement from the MCC. “It was felt unfair that a delivery might be called ‘Wide’ if it passes where the batter had stood as the bowler entered his/her delivery stride.”

“Therefore, Law 22.1 has been amended so that a Wide will apply to where the batter is standing, where the striker has stood at any point since the bowler began their run up, and which would also have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position.”

Before the change to the law, clause 22.1.1 in the MCC Laws of Cricket, which talks about Judging a Wide, states: “If the bowler bowls a ball, not being a No ball, the umpire shall adjudge it a Wide if, according to the definition in 22.1.2, the ball passes wide of where the striker is standing and which also would have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal guard position.”

Also read: AUS vs SA: Brad Hogg Points Out Huge Selection Call That Could Haunt Australia In 2023 World Cup