New Delhi: New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr’s runout decision ignited a controversy in their tournament opener against India on Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. She was found short at the striker’s end while attempting a second run on the final ball of 14th over bowled by Deepti Sharma.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who was positioned at long-off, threw the ball towards wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh when the Indian captain saw Kerr and Devine going for a second run. Richa inflicted the runout successfully after collecting the ball, and Kerr was on her way back to the New Zealand dugout.
However, the on-field umpires Anna Harris and Jacqueline Williams recalled back the White Ferns middle order batter, though she had reached the boundary line. The umpires cited that Deepti Sharma, the bowler, had asked the main umpire to return her floppy cap back while the dismissal was effected. As a result, the umpire ruled out Kerr’s run out and said the ball was dead before the two New Zealand batters attempted the second run.
The Indian team players were visibly miffed with the entire scenario. For close to seven minutes, the match was halted as captain Harmanpreet and head coach Amol Muzumdar were involved in a long discussion with the fourth umpire. Eventually Kerr was called back, but was dismissed straight away on the first ball she faced after the runout drama.
Speaking after the match, Indian middle order batter Jemimah Rodrigues said that it was harsh on her team to not be benefitted with the runout, but they respected the final decision from the umpires.
“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. I mean, what if that run out wouldn’t have happened? Would they give [New Zealand] two [runs] for that?,” Rodrigues said.
“Honestly, that was not in our control. At the end, we respect 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 can. 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.
India lose by 58 runs
Notwithstanding the Amelia Kerr runout, Indians were outplayed by the White Ferns in every department. Captain Sophie Devine led from the front with a blistering unbeaten 57 to set the Women in Blue a moderate target of 161. New Zealand pacers Rosemary Mair (4 for 19) and Lea Tahuhu (3 for 15) bowled stupendously to inspire an India batting collapse.
India were bowled out for 102 with Harmanpreet Kaur being the top-scorer with 15 runs. There was lack of intent from the whole batting unit and it led to demeaning. New Zealand ended their 10-match losing streak in T20Is to start the showpiece event on a high note.
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr’s runout decision ignited a controversy in their tournament opener against India on Friday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. She was found short at the striker’s end while attempting a second run on the final ball of 14th over bowled by Deepti Sharma. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
