You Pay A Fine, If You Are Out Of The Crease: Peter Kirsten Welcomes MCC's New Laws On Run-Outs At Non-Striker's End

Former South Africa player Peter Kirsten welcomed the new cricket laws drafted by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). On March 9, the MCC drafted some new amendments to the game which included the contentious law to run out of batters at the non-striker’s end popularly known as ‘Mankading’.

Originally classified under Law 41 (Unfair Play), whenever a bowler dismisses a batter at the non-striker’s end when he/she is short of the crease before the bowler is about to bowl, has always created divided opinions across the globe.

However, the rule has been moved to Law 38 (Run Out) in order to legitimise the mode of dismissal and not show the bowler in a bad light in the theory of spirit of the game.

Kirsten, who himself was dismissed at the non-striker’s end by former Indian skipper Kapil Dev in December 1992, said if the MCC wants to legalise it as another mode of dismissal then the batters must be cautious about it.

It’s just another dismissal, batters are more aware now: Peter Kirsten on run-outs at non-striker’s end

The former South Africa player also admitted that Kapil had warned him twice before dismissing him at the non-striker’s end but back then he didn’t pay enough attention to his opponent.

“If it’s the done thing, fair enough. It’s just another dismissal. Batters are more aware now. You pay a fine, if you are out of the crease,” Kirsten was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. 

“In my case, I was not trying to steal ground. Kapil did warn me twice. I was a bit naive. We were newly reintroduced in international cricket and no such thing was ever discussed in the change room. The umpire did come to me to say, ‘You may get into trouble, stay in your crease’. I did not adhere to the warning.

As long as the batter is warned, it’s fine: Peter Kirsten

Although Kirsten is ready to accept the new laws, the 66-year-old feels the bowlers should warn the batters at least once before taking the action.

“I do a lot of coaching and kids, at an impressionable age, copy these things. So, it’s an interesting one. As long as the batter is warned, it’s fine,” he said. 

The changes penned by the MCC are up to the ICC and other national boards to adopt or endorse them. The changes will come into effect from October 1.

Also Read: ‘It Is The Batter Who Gains An Unfair Advantage’: Murali Kartik Welcomes MCC’s New Laws Of Cricket