Sri Lanka issue Mankad warning to Aussie rivals

Sri Lanka have issued a warning to Australia’s women as they seek to find an advantage, any advantage, over their number one-ranked rivals; if the non-striker prematurely steps out of their crease, be prepared to be run out.

On multiple occasions across the three T20Is and one ODI in the ongoing Commonwealth Bank limited-overs series, Sri Lankan bowlers have threatened to affect a contentious ‘Mankad’ dismissal.

On Saturday, Sri Lanka ODI captain Sashikala Siriwardena revealed her team actually practiced the divisive ploy at training.

While they have yet to put it to use against Meg Lanning’s all-conquering side, which notched their 16th consecutive ODI victory on Saturday, Siriwardena said the hosts better be aware.

"Considering the new rules and regulations, the batters have to stay in the crease until the ball is released," Siriwardena explained after her team’s 157-run defeat in Brisbane.

"We do it in training also, it might help us to get some run-outs also because they (non-strikers) have to stay there (in their crease for longer).

"So it’s a tactical move."

That move may well have already paid off.

On Saturday, off-spinner Siriwardena issued a warning to Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry for leaving her crease before she had released the ball.

Perry not long after was then run out for 19, caught short when called through for an ill-advised single by striker Beth Mooney. 

During the first T20I in Sydney last week, veteran medium-pacer Udeshika Prabodani pulled out of her delivery stride on numerous occasions.

She appeared initially to be reacting to striker Mooney shaping for a reverse sweep, but on each occasion the bowler turned around and feigned throwing the ball back towards the stumps at non-striker Ashleigh Gardner’s end.

In the third T20I, Australia opener Alyssa Healy twice found herself on warning while backing up, again from Prabodani.

Australia captain Lanning said while she was unsure whether Sri Lanka would be prepared to take the extra step of actually executing a Mankad dismissal, her batters were wary.

"We’ve spoken about it, making sure we’re staying in our crease and watching the ball out of the bowlers hand," Lanning said.

"That’s what we can control in the situation.

"I didn’t think any of our players were intending to leave the crease early, but it’s something we’ve got to be aware of.

"She hasn’t thrown it each time so I’m not sure if it’s something she’s thinking about doing or if it’s just a reflex action.

"I think initially in the first T20 it was more in response to people going for a paddle and things like that.

"It’s part of the game, we haven’t spoken a lot about it, we’ve spoken about what we can control and making sure we stay in our crease until the ball’s let go."

The method of dismissal, named after former India player Vinoo Mankad, is legal but seen by many as going against the spirit of the game, unless the batsman has been persistently backing up and warned first.

It most recently sparked controversy during this year’s Indian Premier League, when Jos Buttler was mankaded by India spin star Ravi Ashwin during an IPL match between the Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.

The Mankad is covered by cricket's Law 41.16.1 (Non-striker leaving his/her ground early) which was updated in 2017 and further clarified on April 1 this year.

The Law states: "If the non-striker is out of his/her ground at any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be Run out. In these circumstances, the non-striker will be out Run out if he/she is out of his/her ground when his/her wicket is put down by the bowler throwing the ball at the stumps or by the bowler's hand holding the ball, whether or not the ball is subsequently delivered."

CommBank Series v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns (T20I only), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Madavi, Shashikala Siriwardena, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hansima Karunaratne, Yashoda Mendis, Nilakshi De Silva, Dilani Manodara, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandhika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Achini Kulasooriya, Udeshika Probodhani, Ama Kanchana.

First T20I: Australia won by 41 runs

Second T20I: Australia won by 9 wickets

Third T20I: Australia won by 132 runs

First ODI: Australia won by 157 runs

Second ODI:October 7, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

Third ODI: October 9, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am

*All ODIs are ICC Women's Championship matches