Mankading: The Non-Striker Run Out Controversy Explained
Mankading — running out the non-striking batsman who backs up too far before a delivery is bowled — was controversial for decades but was reclassified as a legitimate run out by the ICC in 2022. This guide covers the history, the ethics debate, the law change, and notable Mankad incidents.
Mankading (named after India's Vinoo Mankad, who dismissed Australian batsman Bill Brown this way in 1947) refers to the practice of a bowler running out the non-striking batsman before releasing the ball, when that batsman has left their crease (backing up too far) before the ball is delivered. For decades it was technically legal but considered contrary to cricket's Spirit — deploying it was seen as unsporting. In 2022, the ICC reclassified it: it is now a legitimate run out under Law 38.3, with no ethical stigma attached.
Why It Was Controversial
The controversy stemmed from cricket's Spirit of Cricket preamble — the tradition that the game should be played fairly and within the 'spirit' as well as the letter of the Law. Backing up (the non-striker moving forward as the bowler approaches to gain running advantage) was considered a minor breach of convention that didn't warrant a wicket. The counterargument: why should a batsman gain an advantage by cheating (leaving their crease before the ball is bowled) without consequence? The backing-up provides a measurable run-rate advantage and is specifically prohibited by Law.
The 2022 Law Change
With effect from October 2022, the ICC reclassified the Mankad run out: it is now under Law 38 (Run Out) rather than Law 41 (Unfair Play). The change means: umpires no longer need to find it 'deliberate' to give it; no warning needs to be given; and it carries no ethical stigma — it is simply a run out, no different from a direct hit. The practical effect has been modest (it remains rare) but the reclassification ends decades of ambiguity about whether Mankading was 'within the spirit.'
Prevention and Tactics
Batsmen prevent Mankad run outs by: not leaving their crease until the ball leaves the bowler's hand; watching the bowler's release point rather than the ball's flight (to ensure they are in their crease at the moment of release). Teams coach non-strikers specifically on legal backing-up technique — gaining legitimate running advantage (starting movement as the ball is released) without risking the wicket. After the 2022 law change, awareness of the legal start position has increased and most senior batsmen are careful to observe it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mankading in cricket?
Mankading is running out the non-striking batsman who leaves their crease before the ball is delivered. Named after India's Vinoo Mankad, who did this to Australia's Bill Brown in 1947. It was controversial for decades (seen as against cricket's spirit) but was reclassified by the ICC in 2022 as a legitimate run out under Law 38.3 — no warning is needed and no ethical stigma applies.
Is Mankading legal in cricket?
Yes — since October 2022, Mankading is fully legal under Law 38.3 (Run Out). The ICC moved it from Law 41 (Unfair Play) to Law 38 (Run Out), ending the debate about whether it was contrary to cricket's spirit. A bowler can run out the non-striker at any point before releasing the ball if the non-striker has left their crease, without warning.
Who was involved in the famous 2022 Mankad incident?
India's Deepti Sharma Mankaded England's Charlotte Dean in the Lord's ODI 2022 — the non-striker had backed up too far, and India ran her out with England needing 17 runs from 17 balls to win. The incident was controversial because many English commentators criticised Deepti Sharma, while Indian and global voices pointed out Dean had broken the Law by leaving her crease early. The ICC's subsequent law change (reclassifying it as a run out) was partly prompted by the confusion the incident revealed.