The West Indies went crashing out of the ICC under 19 World Cup today but not before once again igniting the spirit-of-cricket debate.
The defending champions suffered their second straight defeat at the tournament when they were beaten by 76 runs by South Africa in their Group A clash, a result that sees the South Africans join host New Zealand as qualifiers for the quarter-finals.
The spirit of the game debate was ignited when they appealed against South African opener Jiveshan Pillay for obstructing the field.
Windies captain and wicketkeeper Emmanuel Stewart made the appeal after Pillay picked up the ball close to the off stump, even though it was stationary after rolling off an inside edge, in the 17th over of South Africa’s innings when they were 77 for 2.
The third umpire Ranmore Martinesz was called in and the decision went in the Windies’ favour after a long wait and a number of replays.
Once the decision was referred to the TV umpire, it was going to be difficult to give the batsman not out unless Stewart and West Indies withdrew the appeal. Law 37.4, which deals with ‘returning the ball to a fielder’, states: “Either batsman is out obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is 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.”
Their actions are likely to be debated widely, similarly to the 2016 u19 World Cup when Keemo Paul effected a mankad to dismiss Zimbabwe’s last wicket – Richard Ngarava – to win a must-win group game.
The young Windies meanwhile were bowled out for 206 in their chase of 283.
Alick Athanaze top-scored with 76 and Kirstan Kallicharan got 44 against Hermann Rolfes who ended with 4 for 33.
Earlier Wandile Makwetu with an unbeaten 99 guided South Africa to 282 for 8 from their 50 overs.
Five of the six bowlers used by the Windies claimed a wicket.