- Josh Inglis survived a strange moment against Scotland
- Australian batsman fell victim to Mark Watt’s ‘long ball’
- But the umpire denied the Scottish player his wicket.
Australia’s cricket team was embroiled in another controversial moment on British soil on Wednesday after a star player was not selected in dubious circumstances.
The Australians, who were facing Scotland in the first match of their T20 series, were 113-2 in the seventh over when Scotland bowler Mark Watt prepared to bowl to batsman Josh Inglis.
However, instead of running towards the crease, the bowler delivered his signature 24-yard delivery, called the ‘long ball’, in which he delivers the ball from well behind the crease in an effort to surprise the batsman.
Inglis, who had taken guard for the delivery, moved away as the ball bounced off the turf. The delivery ended up grazing his leg stump and the Scots strongly called for his dismissal.
However, umpire David McLean signalled “dead ball”, giving Inglis a lifeline.
According to MCC Law 20.4, an umpire must declare a dead ball if the batter had adequate reason for not being ready and made no attempt to execute the pitch.
Earlier this year, Watt lost a similar wicket in the T20 World Cup when he dismissed Omani batsman Khalid Kail with his ‘length ball’. The umpire also signalled ‘dead ball’ on that occasion.
“It’s just about trying to rush (hitters),” the 28-year-old said earlier in explaining his unique delivery.
Josh Inglis survived a controversial moment during Australia’s match against Scotland
Mark Watt bowled the Australian batsman, but the umpire ruled the delivery a ‘dead ball’
‘When I released it, the batsman looked up and the ball was already halfway to the wicket.’
“(It’s effective because) it’s the element of surprise that makes it go,” Scotland all-rounder Michael Leask said earlier this year.
‘It’s also how good it is at maintaining length, it still spins. It’s just a fraction longer.
‘Man, it’s horrible to deal with, even for us on the networks.
“You know it happens every two minutes. It does it often.”
Australia won the match by seven wickets and Inglis finished the game unbeaten with 27 runs in 13 balls.