CWC 2019 Flashback: All you need to know about the Ben Stokes overthrow incident
The 2019 World Cup final was nothing like anything seen before. The tournament final remained undecided after innings completion of both the teams and the match proceeded in the Super Over. Even the Super Over was tied and it was by a boundary countback that England were crowned the champions. However, there was an overthrow incident in the final over of England’s chase which has become a raging talking point.
What happened exactly?
England needed 15 runs off the final over to win. Ben Stokes couldn’t score off the first two balls but thumped the third one for a six to keep the hopes alive. Next, Trent Boult sent down a full-toss which the all-rounder played towards the leg side. Guptill threw the ball back while the batsmen scampered for the second run. The ball hit Stokes’ bat and deflected away for a boundary. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena gave six runs to the English team (two runs + four overthrows).
With two runs needed from the last two balls, England tied the game. The Super Over also ended in a tie but since the hosts had hit more boundaries than New Zealand, they became the champions.
What does the law say?
MCC Law 19 – Boundaries
19.8 Overthrow or willful act of fielder
If the boundary results from an overthrow or from the willful act of a fielder, the runs scored shall be
any runs for penalties awarded to either side
and the allowance for the boundary
and the runs completed by the batsmen, together with the run in progress if they had already crossed at the instant of the throw or act.
What is the controversy?
The ambiguous wording of this sentence “already crossed at the instant of the throw or act” stirred the cricket world. At the time of the throw, the English pair had not crossed each other which means the side should have gotten only five runs, not six. Also, Adil Rashid should have been on strike for the next ball and not Stokes. However, if we apply the meaning of ‘act’ here which is the ball being deflected off the bat, then the decision made in the final was correct.
What do the experts say?
One of the most respected cricket umpires, Simon Taufel broke his silence on this issue. Part of the MCC’s laws sub-committee, Taufel told foxsports.com.au that England should have been awarded five runs, not six.
“It’s a clear mistake… it’s an error of judgment. They (England) should have been awarded five runs, not six,” Taufel said.
The ICC, at the time, refrained from publicly commenting on the issue further.
