Cameroon bowler Maeva Douma runs out four non-strikers in her debut T20I match
We have heard stories in cricket of sensational five-for on debut, majestic hundreds, and hat-tricks. But hearing of running out a non-striker four times in the very first international game is slightly unusual. The act of running out a non-striker by bowler has been legal in cricket but getting a wicket of the batter in such a manner is still debatable among onlookers and experts.
There have been several discussions as to how this rule should be banned in cricket by few experts. Some experts feel batters should not get an undue advantage by running too far at the non-striker’s end. Maeva Douma of Cameroon though was not bothered about reputation and the stigma attached to run out the non-strikers as she ran off four Uganda batters for taking the liberty at the non-striker’s end. Douma was on her international debut, and she is just 16 years.
But that didn’t quite stop her from using the presence of mind in her brilliant performance on debut in the Women’s T20I World Cup Qualifier game on Sunday (12 September). Although Douma picked up just one wicket from her quota of four overs, she effectively finished with five wickets in the match owing to four run-outs at the non-striker’s end.
Maeva Douma hogs the limelight in Uganda vs Cameroon T20I match
It all started when Douma was brought into the attack by her skipper with Uganda being placed at 153 for one. Kevin Awino was out of the crease and wanted to have an early advantage before the 16-year-old delivered the ball. But Douma was clever enough to see what Awino was up to and ran her out for 34.
Her three other victims included wickets of Musamali (59), skipper Immaculate Nakisuuyi (21), and Janet Mbanazi (5). A video was shared on social media in which the scorecard reflected six wickets fell of Uganda batters for 190 runs. The 16-year-old’s four run-outs at the non-striker’s end yield in a win for her team Cameroon but Douma hogged the limelight in her debut game.
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) September 12, 2021
The rule has made heads turn, and the debate as to whether the batters should be given a proper warning before being dismissed in such a manner is taking into consideration.
