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September 5, 2024
Unusual Deliveries in Australia vs Scotland T20I Result in ‘Dead Balls’
During the first T20I between Australia and Scotland in Edinburgh, the focus shifted from Travis Head’s explosive batting to the unconventional tactics of left-arm spinner Mark Watt. Watt’s “long ball” deliveries, which are unusual in the game, led to two instances where the umpire called ‘dead ball.’
After Mitchell Marsh was caught near the boundary, Watt delivered a 25-yard ball to Josh Inglis, who stepped away just in time to avoid being hit, resulting in the ball taking the leg bail. The umpire declared it a ‘dead ball,’ though he appeared to discuss the situation with Inglis. This occurred again later when Marcus Stoinis, having started to face up, stepped away from a similar delivery. This time, the ball missed the stumps.
“It’s just trying to rush [the batters],” Watt has previously explained. “By the time I’ve let it go, the batsman looks up and the ball’s halfway down the wicket.”
The wording of the relevant Law, 20.4.2.5, showed the umpire had made the correct call. “Either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball when…the striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, makes no attempt to play it. Provided the umpire is satisfied that the striker had adequate reason for not being ready, the ball shall not count as one of the over.”
Mark Watt seemed to believe that Josh Inglis was ready to face his delivery. Freeze frames from the moment Watt started his run-up show Inglis still looking down while tapping his bat, though he was facing the bowler before the ball was delivered.
Commentator and former Scotland captain Preston Mommsen suggested that Inglis was fortunate to avoid being dismissed. “The unexpected nature of the delivery coming from 23, 24 yards. He’s a very lucky man to still be there,” he said.
While the ‘dead ball’ calls in the recent game didn’t affect the result, they reignited the debate over whether Mark Watt was unfairly denied a wicket. A similar situation occurred in the T20 World Cup earlier this year when Oman’s Khalid Kail was ‘bowled’ after stepping away, but umpire Chris Brown declared it a ‘dead ball.’
At that time, Watt and captain Richie Berrington discussed the decision with the umpire, but the game continued with no further changes. On Wednesday, the crowd reacted with boos after the second ‘dead ball’ call. Commentator Tom Moody had previously argued during the World Cup that Kail was ready to face and the ball should not have been ruled dead. “The batter’s looking up. He’s ready. To me, that is a legitimate ball,” Moody had said. “The ball is live. As soon as the batter has placed his bat down and faces up, looks up to the bowler, he’s ready to go.”
When Australia played Scotland in the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, they were aware of the tactic used by Mark Watt. Josh Inglis, who was part of the squad, and Marcus Stoinis, who was in the playing XI, were both involved in the game.
From Test Potential to T20 Finals: Ollie Robinson Shines for Sussex
In an alternate reality, Ollie Robinson might have been gearing up to lead England’s attack against Sri Lanka at The Oval. However, with his central contract still active, Robinson played a key role in Sussex’s victory over Lancashire, securing a spot in the T20 Blast Finals Day. He made an impact both with the ball and in the field, notably with a precise run-out of Liam Livingstone. Sussex captain Tymal Mills highlighted Robinson’s impressive performance, boosting his profile in the T20 franchise circuit.
“Hopefully, he picks up some more T20 gigs off the back of it,” Mills said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with him England-wise in red-ball cricket, but he’s shown he’s a very skilful new-ball bowler.”
Despite missing Jos Buttler, Lancashire fielded seven internationals, compared to Sussex’s five, but were thoroughly outplayed, with Ollie Robinson leading the way. On a fresh, grassy pitch, Robinson made an immediate impact by dismissing Phil Salt on the first ball of the match, then bowling Keaton Jennings in the seventh over. Jennings’ dismissal for 37 triggered a collapse, with Lancashire losing 5 wickets for just 14 runs in four overs.
Liam Livingstone briefly took charge, hitting powerful shots off Tymal Mills and Jofra Archer. However, with Livingstone on 43, a direct hit from Robinson ran him out after a mix-up with Luke Wood. Archer, making his first Blast appearance since 2021, then bowled Saqib Mahmood, leaving Lancashire all out for 114—the lowest first-innings score at Hove in eight years. Brad Currie and spinners James Coles and Jack Carson also played key roles, but Robinson’s performance was the standout.
“I didn’t expect to have him much at all in the Blast,” Mills said. “But once it looked like he was getting left out of the England team, he was with us from the start and has been fantastic. He’s been thinking about the game, helping me out in the field, and I can’t speak highly enough of him. It’s been a huge boost to have him.”
Robinson is not renowned as the most athletic fielder but was quick to point out on Sky Sports that his direct hit was his second of the season. “He’s in excellent shape,” Mills said. “He’s clearly enjoying his cricket. He’s really committed down here — he’s signed a contract extension for next year — and is in a really good place at the moment.”
When Stuart Broad retired at the end of last summer’s Ashes series, Robinson looked like the obvious replacement. Instead, he has played a single Test since, bowling 13 wicketless overs in Ranchi while struggling with a back issue. Even with James Anderson following Broad into retirement and Mark Wood injured, Robinson is nowhere to be seen.
There is little doubt about Robinson’s ability – he still has an exceptional Test record, with 76 wickets at 22.92 – but he has often faced questions about his fitness and his desire. It was only last week that Luke Wright, England’s national selector, challenged him to “show that he’s robust enough to be able to stand up to the rigours of Test cricket.”
Ollie Robinson’s performance for Sussex raises questions about his future in Test cricket, especially with England’s new approach under Brendon McCullum, who believes in making changes if necessary. Robinson’s consistent non-selection this summer might suggest that the team has moved on, but his recent showing in the T20 Blast is promising. On a pitch that supported bowlers, Robinson bowled with pace and skill, taking 18 wickets at an average of 20.38 this season. He also took 30 wickets in the Championship, and will be eager to make an impact at Finals Day next Saturday.
This win marks a significant turnaround for Sussex. Just two years ago, they struggled in the County Championship and performed poorly in the T20 format. Now, they are close to promotion in the Championship and are strong contenders for the Blast title. The County Ground was packed for the match, and Sussex fans gave a warm reception to returning players Phil Salt and Luke Wells. Although Jofra Archer will miss the Finals due to England’s T20I series against Australia, Sussex’s 10th T20 win of the season gives them hope of ending a 15-year wait for the trophy.