Cricket news roundup – 28th March 2019: MCC does U-turn, says Ashwin’s Mankad not within ‘spirit of the game’

A day after okaying R Ashwin’s Mankad dismissal of Jos Buttler, the MCC has done a striking U-Turn, saying after further inspection, they’ve decided it was not within the spirit of the game.

Meanwhile, the IPL carried on, with Kolkata beating Punjab by 28 runs to go top of the table. The Australians continued to have a good time in the UAE with another series win against Pakistan, and Marcus Stoinis is confident his finger injury won’t be a problem for the World Cup.

Kolkata too good for Punjab

Kolkata secured their second win in as many matches, seeing off Punjab by 28 runs and moving to the top of the IPL 2019 table. Andre Russell starred with a 17-ball 48 and 2/21, and his Player of the Match performance helped Kolkata post 218/4 before restricting Punjab to 190/4.

However, the game could have panned out differently had Andre Russell’s dismissal by Mohammed Shami – when he was on 3 – been upheld. It was called a no-ball as Punjab had only three fielders inside the circle at the time.

Punjab made a decent attempt at the chase, with Mayank Agarwal and David Miller scoring half-centuries, but the score was just too tall to topple.

MCC does U-turn on Ashwin-Buttler Mankad episode

A day after saying R Ashwin’s Mankad dismissal of Jos Buttler in IPL 2019 was within the spirit of the game, the MCC has changed their stance, after further investigation.

The lawmakers told the Telegraph that the run-out was contrary to the game’s spirit, and said the pause between the moment Ashwin reached the crease and the expected moment of delivery was unusually long.

“Having extensively reviewed the incident again, and after further reflection, we don’t think it was within the spirit of the game,” MCC laws manager Fraser Stewart said. “We believe the pause was too long between the time Ashwin reached the crease and the moment it was reasonable to expect the ball would be delivered.”

However, Stewart added that the whole mess can be avoided going forward if batsmen just stay in the crease till the ball is delivered.

Australia win series, take unassailable 3-0 lead

Aaron Finch was once again among the runs, as were Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell, as Australia secured an 80-run victory in the third ODI against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Australia posted 266/6 before Pat Cummins returned an excellent 3/23 in eight overs, nipping out three of the top four in Shan Masood, Haris Sohail and Mohammad Rizwan.

The middle order was left with too much to do, and Australia once again worked themselves into good form ahead of the World Cup 2019.

Earlier, Finch missed out on a third consecutive century by ten runs, while Handscomb scored a 43-ball 47 and Maxwell a belligerent 55-ball 71.

The fourth ODI will be played in Dubai on March 29.

Injured Stoinis confident of full recovery before World Cup

Marcus Stoinis, the Australia all-rounder, sustained a thumb injury during the tour of India, but believes it will heal fully before the World Cup 2019.

Stoinis fractured his right thumb in India, but he has just missed one game thereafter, and the injury hasn’t come in the way of his participation.

“I’m pretty happy it didn’t keep me out for too long,” he said. “It was uncomfortable for a good couple of days. It’s just something I’m going to keep covered up while fielding. But it’s pulled up pretty well. After each game, it’s been okay. I think I’ll be over it by [the World Cup]. I think it should be completely healed within four weeks.”