IND vs ENG Dead Ball Rule
: The much-anticipated fifth Test match between England and India kicked off at 'The Oval' in London on Thursday (July 31). Rain played a major role, causing disruptions that limited the play to only 64 overs, leaving India at 204/6. The first day was largely dominated by England's pace bowlers, the lush green pitch, and some reckless shots from the Indian batsmen.
'The Oval' stadium is located in South London, where, during India's batting, flocks of pigeons repeatedly approached the pitch. An instance arose when Indian batsman Sai Sudharsan was on strike as an English bowler delivered the ball, narrowly missing a pigeon. Similarly, KL Rahul experienced a similar situation while batting.
What Happens if a Ball Hits a Pigeon or Any Bird?
The question arises—what if a cricket ball suddenly collides with a bird or any animal that enters the field during play? The straightforward answer is that the umpire on the field would declare it a 'dead ball.' In the scenario at the Oval, had any ball hit a pigeon, it would be called a dead ball. To further clarify, if a pigeon obstructs Sai Sudharsan while he is batting, and he gets bold, that ball would still be declared dead. The governing body for cricket, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), explains this under the dead ball rules on their
. MCC is the custodian of cricket laws.
(Watch the video from 1:10)
MCC Rules Regarding Dead Balls
The MCC has extensively detailed when a ball may be considered dead under Article 20 on its website. Regarding the intrusion of an animal or bird during play, this is explained under rule 20.4.2.12. The final decision rests with the discretion of the umpires.
Source: aajtak
If the umpire believes an individual, animal, or any object has entered the field (field of play) and caused detriment to a team, the ball is declared dead. However, if both umpires agree that the ball would have reached the boundary anyway, a boundary is awarded.
Unexpected Guests on the Cricket Field
It's not unusual for birds to invade a cricket field. In England, during county matches, even peacocks have wandered onto the field during play. Pigeons are a common sight. In Australia, when matches are played, seagulls often appear, along with flocks of pigeons. In South Africa, the sighting of a Hadeda Ibis during cricket matches is common. In India, crows frequently appear during matches. In an incident in 2022, a snake made an entry during a
in Guwahati.
