South Africa Penalized with Rare Five-Run Deduction in Bangladesh Test Match
In a rare event during the second Test against Bangladesh, South Africa received a five-run penalty for a running infringement involving Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy. The penalty occurred after Muthusamy strayed into the protected area while running between the wickets, resulting in the deduction of two runs and an additional penalty. This incident highlighted the stringent enforcement of cricket regulations governing pitch usage, as South Africa went on to declare at 575-6 while Bangladesh began their innings with a 5-run advantage.
In a notable incident during the second Test match against Bangladesh on October 30, South Africa was penalized with a rare five-run deduction due to a running infringement by Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy. This occurred amidst a seventh-wicket partnership in South Africa’s first innings. After Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs secured centuries, Mulder was nearing a century himself when Muthusamy faced a yorker from Hasan Mahmud. Following the delivery, Muthusamy struck the ball, allowing the pair to run for two runs. However, in doing so, Muthusamy ran straight down the center of the pitch. The umpires intervened, resulting in the removal of the two runs gained by the batsmen, and the team was additionally penalized five runs, which meant that Bangladesh commenced their inning at 5-0. The playing regulations under the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Law 41.15 stipulate that a batsman is prohibited from encroaching upon the protected area of the pitch, which is designed to prevent undue damage to the playing surface. In the event of a breach, the umpire must issue a warning, and any subsequent violation will result in disallowance of runs and an award of five penalty runs to the fielding side. This guideline was clearly in effect in this instance, as South Africa had already previously breached the rules governing the protected area during the same innings. Following this incident, South Africa declared their innings at a formidable total of 575-6. Meanwhile, Bangladesh struggled in their response, losing four wickets rapidly during the evening session, finishing Day Two on a precarious 38-4.
The incident highlighted the strict enforcement of running regulations in cricket, particularly concerning the protected area of the pitch. The Laws of Cricket, governed by the MCC, are designed to maintain the integrity and condition of the playing surface, which is crucial for the quality of play. The protected area is defined to restrict players from running through critical patches of the pitch that can affect bowlers, particularly spin bowlers, as they require a consistent surface for optimal performance. Failure to adhere to these regulations results in serious penalties, as demonstrated in this match where South Africa was punished for a violation, which is relatively rare in professional cricket.
The five-run penalty imposed on South Africa during their Test match against Bangladesh serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to the Laws of Cricket. This infraction not only impacted the runs recorded for South Africa but also provided Bangladesh with an unusual advantage at the start of their innings. As the match progressed, it emphasized the critical role that strict observance of playing regulations plays in maintaining fair play within the sport.
Original Source: www.wisden.com
