South Africa incurred a rare five-run penalty in the second Test against Bangladesh after players Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy violated running rules by encroaching on the protected area of the pitch. This unusual decision allowed Bangladesh to start their innings at 5-0. Despite this, South Africa declared with a total of 575-6 and Bangladesh ended Day Two at 38-4.
In an extraordinary occurrence during the second Test match against Bangladesh, South Africa was imposed a rare five-run penalty due to a running infringement by two of its players, Wiaan Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy. This incident took place amid the seventh-wicket partnership while the team was batting in their first innings. While batting, Mulder found himself on the verge of a century, having reached 90 runs, when Muthusamy, facing Hasan Mahmud’s bowling, hit the ball towards deep backward point, enabling the duo to complete two runs. However, during the run, Muthusamy violated the laws by running directly along the middle of the pitch. As a result of this infringement, the umpires decreed that the runs scored were disallowed, and an additional penalty of five runs was awarded to Bangladesh, compelling South Africa to commence the opposition’s innings at 5-0. According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket, specifically Law 41.15.1, it is stated that the striker must not adopt a batting stance within the protected area or encroach upon it, as such infringement can lead to penalties. After an initial warning, persistent violations result in all runs being disallowed and a five-run penalty applied to the fielding side. The concept of the protected area is elaborated in Law 41.11, defining it as a specific zone on the pitch that must be maintained to ensure fair play. Subsequent to this incident, South Africa declared their innings at 575-6, with Mulder securing his century in style. As Bangladesh commenced their batting, they faced a challenging situation, concluding Day Two at 38-4 despite their initial five-run advantage.
This incident highlights the critical nature of adhering to the Laws of Cricket during matches, particularly regarding field positioning and the handling of the protected area on the pitch. The regulations aim to maintain fair play and safeguard the integrity of the game, hence enforcement of such penalties underscores their significance. The rare penalty emphasizes the need for players to be cognizant of their running patterns and adherence to established cricketing laws.
The five-run penalty faced by South Africa due to a running infringement underlines the importance of strict compliance with cricketing laws. Such measures, though infrequent, serve to uphold the principles of the game and ensure that all players engage in practices that align with the established framework of cricket etiquette. As South Africa navigated this situation, they still managed to post a formidable first innings total, showcasing their resilience despite the unusual setback.
Original Source: www.wisden.com
