Perhaps the most unluckiest way in which a batter can get out is ‘Handling the Ball’. Handling the ball is Law 33 in the laws of cricket established by Marylebone Cricket Club. This law defines that a batter can be given out if they intentionally touch the ball with their hand that is not holding their bat. It is one of the bizarre modes of dismissal but it has happened many times. In 2017 the MCC scrapped this mode of dismissal; it is now included under ‘Obstructing The Field’.In this article we will revisit 5 such kinds of dismissals.
Mohinder Amarnath – The spinner all-rounder from India who was also the Man of the Match in the historic final of 1983 World Cup has been a victim of handling the ball. It happened in 1986 in a match against Australia at the MCG. While he was batting, off-spinner Greg Matthews bowled a turning ball which hit the edge of the bat and went towards the stumps, in an attempt to save the ball from hitting the stumps, Mohinder picked up the ball with his hands and was judged out on appeal by Australians.
Graham Gooch – The English legend who has around 8900 runs in his Test career was one of the greats of the England team in the 1990s. During the 1993 Ashes, in a match at Old Trafford Graham got dismissed due to handling the ball. While he was batting comfortably after scoring a century ,he was facing Merv Hughes when one of the deliveries which he defended ran towards the stump. Instinctively he tried to stop the ball with his hands and got out at 133. England lost that match as well as the Ashes.
Steve Waugh – The Aussie legend under whose leadership Australia ruled over the world in the 90s and in early 2000s was a great batter as well, having scored over 10000 runs in Tests. During the famous 2001 Australia tour of India, Steve got out for handling the ball in one of the test matches. In the Chennai test, Steve was batting comfortably at 47 when Harbhajan bowled a delivery on which he missed the sweep shot, the ball diverted towards the stumps and Steve picked the ball with his hands leading to his dismissal. It was a breakthrough series for Harbhajan Singh as he was outstanding throughout the series. India won the series by 2-1 and it has been one the best victories of India against Australia.
Michael Vaughan – The former England captain and opening batsman who represented England in more than 80 test matches was a significant figure. Under his captaincy England won the Ashes in 2005 after 19 years. In a test match against India at Bangalore, Michael was batting at 64 when he tried to sweep one ball bowled by spinner Sarandeep Singh. The ball hit the pad and then ran towards the stump, though it could have gone without hitting but still Michael instinctively pushed aside the ball with his hands and got out.
Chamu Chibhabha – The latest player to have gotten out due to handling the ball is Chamu Chibhabha, the Zimbabwean batter. In 2015 in a match against Afghanistan, Chamu tried to play a cut shot on a delivery bowled by spinner Amir Hamza, the ball chopped onto the stumps and he caught the ball with his hands and threw it away.The wicket-keeper Mohammd Shahzad appealed and the umpire upheld the appeal by giving out.
