West Indies spark spirit of cricket debate with dismissal

Not for the first time, the West Indies' under-19 side have sparked a debate about the spirit of cricket after successfully appealing for obstructing the field.

Playing in their Under-19 World Cup match against South Africa in Mount Maunganui, West Indian captain and wicketkeeper Emmanuel Stewart wasn't happy when a rival batsman picked the ball up.

Jiveshan Pillay had just inside edged the ball into his pads, and the ball lay stationary about a foot from the stumps.

Pillay then bent down and tossed the ball underarm to Stewart, only for the West Indian captain to appeal to the umpires. They sent it upstairs, and the third umpire had no choice but to give it out.



The rule in question is law 37.4, which states: "Either batsman is out obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder."

Pillay's actions were what you see any Saturday from cricketers around the world, only this time the opposition appealed for the wicket.

Following the game, Stewart was asked about the incident by commentator Danny Morrison.

"I asked the question and it was given out based on the laws and the rules of the game," Stewart said.


"But on reflection, it wasn't in the spirit of the game. Moving forward I would have withdrawn the appeal. That's how we see it."

Why have the rule if you can't use it