Today Sri Lankan player Angelo Matthews was given out for "Time Out" based upon the appeal by the Sakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh team captain for the delay by the Lankan batsman for arriving at the crease due to a broken strap in his helmet. It was perhaps the first such decision in the history of international cricket. So shameful and unsportsmanlike of Bangladesh cricket team, though perfectly within the boundaries of the existing cricket rules.
Rule vs Sportsmanship - a question which has plauged Cricket, known as a gentleman's game. Douglas Jardine was well within the rules when he instructed Larwood to bowl bouncers in the infamous Body line series. The purpose was to contain Don Bradman who had become a scourge for English cricket team. Jardine partially successful in his mission, considering Bradman who averaged more than 100 until then, ended up with an average of 56 something. That series was responsible for him to stay stuck at the average of 99.99. It was an unsportsmanlike gesture, but Jardine was well within the rules at that time when there was no restriction on bouncers to be bowled.
Fast forward to 1981 when New Zealand was 6 runs away from victory with only 1 ball remaining. Greg Chappel, the Australian skipper instructed his younger brother to bown an underarm delivery to the hapless Kiwi batsman. Chappel was perfectly within the rules and Australian won the match and the triangular series. Kiwi press screamed next day - "Chappell's underarm stinks". A Kiwi company offered Chappell brothers free deodorants for rest of their lives !
In 1980, during the Jubilee test match between England and India at Bombay, Kapil Dev was polishing off the English batsmen when Bob Taylor was given out caught behind. England was perhaps 5 wickets down for 50 something. Taylor complained to India's captain Vishwanath who called back Taylor to bat again. Botham who was at the other end scored a memorable century, later took 10 wickets to win the test for England.
During the 1987 World Cup match against Pakistan, Abdul Qadir was feets away from the non-stricker end when bowler Courtney Walsh gently reminded him to get back into the crease. Walsh could easily ran Qadir out. This decision of Walsh cost West Indies the game and a place in the WC semifinals.
It might have cost India the Jubilee test in 1980 and West Indies the World Cup in 1987, yet Vishwanath and Walsh will go down in history of cricket as epitomes of sportsmanship. Shame on you Bangladesh cricketers, hard luck Angelo Matthews.
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