Penalty for intimidating throw contributes to women's county team setting a new List A chase record.
Let's talk about that crazy five-run penalty in women's List A cricket 🔥
The girls over at Surrey were dealt a rare blow when the Unfair Play law came crashing down on them in a clash against Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Warwickshire was on a mission, chasing a record-breaking women's List A total, and things took an unusual turn in the 20th over of their chase.
With Warwickshire 129-3, chasing a gargantuan 313, Davina Perrin luckily managed to avoid a lightning-fast throw from Dani Gregory at point that was meant for a batsman. However, the umpires didn't seem satisfied, and after a quick confab with Surrey's captain Bryony Smith, they announced 5 bonus runs for Warwickshire.
Turns out, Gregory's throw failed to comply with Law 42 – the law that keeps things fair and square in cricket. If a player throws the ball in an inappropriate and dangerous manner, inappropriate and dangerous to a player, umpire or another person, it's considered a level two offense, and five penalty runs come their way. That's what happened here.
So, Warwickshire got five extra runs, but it's doubtful they even needed them, as they ended up reaching their target with three wickets still in play and 21 balls remaining. Perrin, a highly-rated 18-year-old, top-scored with 69, while Bethan Ellis and Natasha Wraith contributed 63 and 53 respectively. It was a team effort from Warwickshire, with their Nos.2-7 all making it into double digits.
Surrey wasn't far behind, with their top six all reaching 20, but it wasn't enough to secure a win. Bryony Smith smashed 78 at a rate better than one per ball, while Sophie Dunkley managed an unbeaten 102 – the game's only century. Despite having an all-star squad, Surrey have faced losses in three out of four games. Warwickshire, on the other hand, have won two, lost one, and tied one.
To put Warwickshire's chase in perspective, it was the second-highest successful pursuit in the history of women's List A cricket, the highest in England. Only Bengal, who once chased down an even more staggering 390 against Haryana in 2024, have achieved a higher score.
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Bonus Fun Fact: That, my friend, is what we call intimidatory fielding – a big no-no in cricket. It's when fielders resort to unsportsmanlike tactics to put batsmen off. This incident, as well as the awarding of penalty runs, highlights the umpires' commitment to ensuring a fair and respectful environment on the field. 💚
- In the ongoing cricket news, the incident of a five-run penalty in women's List A cricket against Surrey by Warwickshire has created a stir, highlighting the importance of adhering to Law 42 that prevents intimidatory fielding.
- The likelihood of Warwickshire needing the extra runs, awarded due to an inappropriate throw by Dani Gregory, was recently questionable considering their impressive performance, but the incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Sports fans can expect engaging quizzes, in-depth analysis, and live match updates on our website, as we continue to cover the unfolding events in the world of cricket, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the rules and the spirit of the game.
