The New Zealand Cricketer Amelia Kerr has been given a lifeline from a controversial non-run out during their match against India in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai.
Amelia Kerr was declared not out by the on-field umpire despite being short of her crease, as they had already signalled the end of the over.
The incident unfolded when Kerr hit the ball towards long off for a single one the last ball of the 14th over. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur picked up the ball and took a few steps into the circle without throwing it.
Seeing this New Zealand captain Sophie Devine was called for a second run. However, the umpire had already handed the cap to bowler Deepti Sharma indicating the end of the over.
However, Harmanpreet Kaur quickly threw the ball to the wicketkeeper’s end, where Richa Ghosh swiftly removed the bails, catching Kerr well short of the crease. Despite Kerr walking back to the dressing room, the umpires Anna Harris and Jacqueline Williams intervened, stating that it was a dead ball and the review was not applicable.
When India appealed for a runout, the umpire decided that the ball was dead and the run-out was not valid.
Although the incident led to massive chaos and unrest in the Indian camp as Head coach, Amol Mazumdar also got involved in the conversation with the match officials whilst a discussion also began in the 30-yard circle.
Kerr’s stay didn’t long as she was departed on the second delivery of the next over with Pooja Vastrakar completing a simple catch.
Amelia Kerr couldn’t make the most of the lifeline she received. #CricketTwitter #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Nq6hZDzpQs
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 4, 2024
“New Zealand were pretty sure that it was a double run and Amelia Kerr went out which showed that the over was not called yet and we all thought that, okay, we got that run-out,” said Jemimah Rodrigues.
“I mean, what if that run out wouldn’t have happened? Would they give [New Zealand] two [runs] for that?
“Honestly, that was not in our control. In the end, we respected the decision of the umpire and we were okay with that. But, yeah, it’s a bit harsh. When Amelia Kerr herself walked out because she knew she was out.
“We know how important Amelia Kerr’s wicket is and yes, at that moment it felt like why didn’t [the decision] go in our favour? But at the same time, I think we did what we could.”
“We spoke to the umpire, and then we had to accept their decision and move on. So, I think that’s what we did really well, that we just moved on from that and I think we got her out pretty soon [anyway], so it worked out for us,” she added.
New Zealand won the match by 58 runs. While speaking in the post-match conference, Sophie Devine said,
“My understanding of it is that [the ball is dead] when the umpire calls ‘over’ and I didn’t hear the umpire call ‘over’. But obviously that’s at the umpire’s discretion in terms of when they think the ball is dead,” Devine, the Player of the Match, said.
“It was an interesting one, and I guess it broke a little bit of momentum and maybe stalled them [India] a bit. That’s part of cricket, isn’t it?
“The interpretation is always going to be slightly different. For us, it was [us] trying to pinch runs here and there [because] you never know when one run might count.”
“Look, [we] trust the umpires – they obviously made the call at the end of the day. That’s their job; it’s not really any of my business. They are the ones who have to apply, I just sometimes try to push the boundaries a little bit,” concluded Sophie Devine.
