The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has clarified Law 20.4.2.5. The law covers cases where a batter is not ready when a delivery is bowled.
The clarification came after two different incidents in recent Hundred matches at Lord’s. The two cases involved London Spirit players. However, the umpires made different decisions.
In the men’s match between London Spirit and MI London, Nicholas Pooran pulled his bat away as Liam Livingstone approached to bowl. Pooran was not ready to face the delivery. Umpire Mike Burns called Dead ball. He judged that Pooran had made no attempt to play the ball.
Three days later, a similar situation occurred in the women’s match. Marizanne Kapp was not fully ready when Linsey Smith bowled. Kapp made a small attempt to play the ball. Umpire Mark Newell allowed the delivery to count.
Both decisions were correct under the Laws.
What does Law 20.4.2.5 say?
The MCC said two conditions must be met for Dead ball to be called. The batter must make no attempt to play the delivery. The umpire must also believe the batter had a genuine reason for not being ready.
If both conditions apply, the ball is called Dead and does not count in the over.
However, even a small attempt to play the ball changes the decision. This was the key difference in Kapp’s case.
Law 41.10.1 also says batters should be ready when the bowler starts the run-up. It is unfair for a batter to waste time.
The MCC also said umpires must consider the bowler’s actions. A shortened run-up or an unusual start could give the batter a valid reason for not being ready.
Therefore, the decision depends on the circumstances of each incident.
