Advertisement

Heather Knight fumes at ‘lying’ over warnings of controversial India run-out that sealed ODI win over England

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

England captain Heather Knight has stated her frustration over India’s claims that Charlie Dean was warned ahead of her controversial dismissal in Saturday’s third ODI at Lord’s.

Dean was unbeaten on 47 having steered England to within 17 runs of an unlikely victory when she was run-out backing up at the non-striker’s end by Deepti Sharma, a dismissal which secured India a famous 3-0 series whitewash.

The dismissal - often better known as a Mankad - falls firmly within the laws of cricket but continues to divide opinion as to whether it is in the spirit of the game, with some feeling a bowler should at least first offer a warning if a batter is backing up too far before running them out.

There is no obligation to do so, but Sharma claimed India had “repeatedly” warned Dean, who was left in tears by the incident, about leaving her ground prematurely.

However, Knight, who did not play in the match due to an ongoing hip injury but was at Lord’s, refuted that suggestion.

"The game is over, Charlie was dismissed legitimately,” she tweeted.

“India were deserved winners of the match and the series. But no warnings were given. They don’t need to be given, so it hasn’t made the dismissal any less legitimate.

“But if they’re comfortable with the decision to affect the run-out, India shouldn’t feel the need to justify it by lying about warnings.”