Trickster Adam Zampa insists he is NOT embarrassed by the Mankad controversy despite Stars coach David Hussey’s fury over the unpopular move: ‘I was well within my rights to do it’
Melbourne Stars captain Adam Zampa says he has no issue attempting another Mankad dismissal after causing controversy in a heated BBL derby loss to the Melbourne Renegades.
Tuesday night’s clash at the MCG reached a flashpoint when Zampa tried to run down Renegades tailender Tom Rogers as the non-striker crawled out of his crease.
A video review led to Rogers not being given out as Zampa’s bowling arm went past its highest point before the leg-spinner reached back to knock down the bails.
Adam Zampa has sparked controversy with his botched attempt on Mankad Tom Rogers
Rogers had the last laugh, breaking the Stars’ command as he took a career-best 5-16 to power the Renegades to a 33-run win.
Zampa said he ‘saw red’ when he saw Rogers trying to steal land.
‘I am within my rights to do so,’ said Zampa.
‘It’s in the rule book. This is well within the rules.
‘As you saw, I just made a mistake in my technique and he was almost halfway to the wicket.’
Cricket’s Mankad’s latest controversy comes less than a week after a tense Boxing Day Test exchange between Mitch Starc and Theunis de Bruyn, when the Australian quickly threatened to run out his South African opponent.
It happened in the final over of the Renegades’ innings as they posted 7-141, sent into bat.
The Stars managed just 9-108 in reply, failing to recover after Rogers tore through the top order.
Zampa (right) attempts to run out Rogers at the non-striker’s end at the MCG
The Stars skipper insisted that he was within his rights to Mankad the Renegades tailender
The right-arm paceman claimed 3-11 in his first two overs as the Renegades reduced their hosts to 4-18 in the fifth.
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-7) also choked the Stars, bowling 17 dot balls in his four overs.
Rogers said he personally would not have tried Mankad as a batter but insisted he was not surprised by Zampa’s decision.
‘I’m a bit confused by the rule but because it’s been flavor of the month a little bit as I tend to stay in my crease longer than in the past,’ said Rogers.
On-field umpire Gerard Abood explained to Zampa TV umpire Shawn Craig that Rogers was not sent off after ruling that the Stars skipper had completed his action without releasing the ball.
David Hussey has slammed Adam Zampa for his controversial attempt at Mankad on Tuesday night
‘I thought I was going to be okay […] but the umpires are doing a great job and luckily it’s not out.
Stars coach David Hussey said his team would withdraw the appeal if Rogers was given up, but Zampa was unsure.
Zampa said he didn’t go after a Mankad attempt earlier in the innings.
‘Tenth over the game if they’re trying to pinch the ground, maybe it’s more of a warning,’ he said.
‘So late in the innings with two balls to spare, even if I Mankad someone and he runs out then they still have wickets in hand […] so it’s not really that different from the game.’
The result ended the Renegades’ four-match losing skid and evened their season record at 4-4, but there was a price to pay when Shaun Marsh injured his hamstring while batting.
Marsh (32 off 35) matched Martin Guptill (32 off 27) and Mackenzie Harvey (32 not out off 23) as Renegades’ top scorers.
Rogers had the last laugh as he finished with 5-16 in his side’s 33-run win
But Marsh, who missed the start of the season with a calf injury, has been ruled out and is awaiting further tests on his latest soft-tissue setback.
Nick Larkin hit an unbeaten 48 in 40 for the Stars, who fell to a 2-5 season record.
Kiwi quick Trent Boult (2-23) and English import Luke Wood (2-29) were the Stars’ best bowlers, while Zampa (1-18) also bowled a tight four overs.
