Greaves wants cricketers to know laws of the sport

Former regional and international cricket umpire Goaland Greaves wants all cricketers to gain knowledge of the laws of the sport or suffer the consequences.

Greaves was speaking against the decision to give South African batsman Jiveshan Pillay out for “obstructing the field” during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup, taking place in New Zealand.

Pillay had picked up the ball close to the off stump, and tossed it to the West Indies wicketkeeper and captain Emmanuel Stewart, who appealed and Pillay was given out under law 37.4.

The law states that a batsman can be given out for obstructing the field, “if at any time while the ball is in in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder.”

Greaves agreed that the umpires acted in accordance with the law and so did Stewart.

“Once an appeal is made, the umpires have to answer the appeal… It is then up to the captain whether or not he/she wants to withdraw the appeal,” Greaves noted.

Continuing his explanation, Greaves added: “The new law, the 2017 code, tells you that you have until the ball comes into the next delivery to withdraw the appeal… Even if the batsman is in the pavilion, you can still withdraw the appeal, once the ball does not come into play for the next delivery.”

However, Greaves noted that whilst it is in the law, Pillay at the time was not seeking “to gain an advantage.”

Agreeing that it is a common practice for batsmen to pick up the ball and throw to fielders, Greaves said it should only be done when one is asked so to do.

“You don’t have to ask by words; you can do so by gesticulations and in so doing, the fielding side can say yes or no,” Greaves advised.

On the matter of the spirit of the game, Greaves underlined that it is a subjective matter; hence, it depends on the captain.

Pillay’s dismissal was a topic of circles worldwide, as many argued that it was not in the spirit of the game.

Stewart was quoted as saying he regretted his decision and claimed that on hindsight, he should have withdrawn the appeal, as it was not in the spirit of the game.

The West Indies, who copped the tournament in 2016, failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, beaten by host New Zealand, as well as South Africa.

A consolation 222-run win over Kenya left the West Indies to play for the minor places.(RT)