Published: Sep 30, 2017, 12:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 29, 2017, 11:59 PM (IST)
After ICC released new rules and regulations, MCC’s revised laws will be applicable from October 1. However, the ongoing JLT Cup’s is already witnessing the changes. Marnus Labuschagne who was the star for Queensland, became the scapegoat of the new MCC laws. He became the first fielder to get penalised against ‘fake fielding’.
Queensland won against Cricket Australia XI (CA XI) 4 wickets. In the process, they handed five penalty runs to CA XI. Param Uppal drove the delivery towards mid-off where Labuschagne dived and missed the ball. However, he faked a throw that led to Uppal initially turning back from the run he had started.
The MCC law 41.5 states, “It is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball.” Umpires are given the levy to award 5 penalty runs if they believe the action was unlawful. The MCC rules also specifically mentions about mock fielding, “where a fielder feigns to field the ball and/or feigns to throw a non-existent ball in an attempt to prevent the batsmen running.”
Although the extra runs boosted CA XI, Queensland reached the target with nine balls to spare. Meanwhile, Labuschagne was named Player of the Match, despite being penalised.
