Sri Lanka have been cleared of going against the spirit of cricket by the law guardians at the MCC.
While England players continue to moan about Jos Buttler’s ‘Mankad’ run-out in the final and decisive one-dayer at Edgbaston on Tuesday night, the tourists can rest safe in the knowledge that they played the game fairly.
The actions of Angelo Mathews in upholding the appeal has drawn criticism from around the game, but at cricket HQ at Lord’s there is no question over how they went about things.
An MCC spokesman said: “It is an emotive issue, but Jos Buttler transgressed a law of cricket and the club would not say the run out was against the spirit of cricket.
“The bowler gave a very clear warning and as I understand it the issue was also raised during the previous game at Lord’s.
“In this instance of ‘Mankading’, the Sri Lankans have not transgressed the laws and it is not against the spirit of cricket to uphold a law of cricket.
“The law is pretty clear – It is an unfair advantage to be out of the crease.”
England’s players were still fuming over the decision 24 hours later, despite Buttler technically being in the wrong.
Ravi Bopara, with whom Buttler batted at Lord’s three days earlier in a partnership that drew Sri Lanka’s attention to the issue of stealing ground, was left less than impressed.
Bopara said: “It is definitely not within the spirit of the game. I wouldn’t say Jos was stealing yards; he was just casually leaving the crease. It is just the done thing.
“For this to happen is quite sad, but if that is the way Angelo Mathews and Sri Lanka want to play their cricket then that is up to them. Hopefully, we don’t step to that level.”
