Kumar Dharmasena claims Ben Stokes had made no request to turn down the four overthrow runs during 2019 World Cup final at Lord’s
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The final match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup at the iconic Lord’s stadium has been termed by many as the greatest One-Day International match ever played in the history of the game. The verdict really makes sense as discussions and debates pertaining the events of the match do not seem to die at all.
The on-field umpire on the day of the final- Kumar Dharmasena had to go through perhaps the most challenging hours of his umpiring career on the eve of July 14. Not only had he made a couple of umpiring errors, but he was criticised especially after former umpire, Simon Taufel cited his (and his partner’s) error in judgement on awarding a total of six overthrow runs to the English score instead of five.
ALSO READ: James Anderson reveals Ben Stokes had asked umpire not to award England four overthrow runs
However, there were even reports primarily surfaced by the British media stating that Stokes had in fact, requested the umpire to withdraw the four overthrow that came as a result of the ball’s deflection off his bat.
What is the heart of the matter?
As per the earlier media reports, the veteran English fast bowler, James Anderson had revealed that Stokes had, in fact after the incident, asked the umpire to not award the four freebie runs, as he perhaps did not deserve it.
James Anderson said that the England all-rounder, who apologise impromptu after the incident occurred had appealed to the umpires to overturn their decision.
I think, talking to Michael Vaughan who saw him after the game, Ben Stokes actually went to the umpires and said, ‘Can you take that four runs off. We don’t want it.’ But it’s in the rules and that’s the way it is,” Sydney Morning Herald quoted Anderson as telling BBC’s Tailenders podcast.
“The etiquette in cricket is if the ball is thrown at the stumps and it hits you and goes into a gap in the field you don’t run. But if it goes to the boundary, in the rules it’s four and you can’t do anything about it”, opined Anderson.
Kumar Dharmasena dismisses BBC’s interview claims
When questioned to Dharmasena on the truthfulness of Stokes’ request, the Sri Lankan denied of him (Stokes) having made any such calls.
Dharmasena while vehemently denying the fact, also admitted that he had indeed made an error in judgement, and he had in fact also apologised to the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson regarding the same.
He also further advocated for a change in rules, and suggested the ICC that the moment the ball hits the batsman or his bat, it should be declared a dead-ball.
