Angelo Mathews fires Jos Buttler run-out warning ahead of England’s five-match ODI series with Sri Lanka
Mathews cranks up heat by insisting their could be a repeat of incident when Buttler was 'Mankaded' two years ago
ENGLAND’S batsmen have been warned they will be ‘Mankaded’ again if they try to gain an unfair advantage.
The pledge from Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews cranks up the heat for the five-match one-day series, which starts at Trent Bridge today.
It comes two years after England were left fuming when Jos Buttler was run out by spinner Sachithra Senanayake while backing up at the non-striker’s end.
Asked if his team would be prepared to do it again, Mathews said: “Definitely.
“We’re not looking forward to doing the Mankading. We’ll play within the rules.
“If someone is trying to take advantage of the rules then we’ll probably warn him first.
“Two years ago was a difficult time for my captaincy. But being in the hotseat is not easy, sometimes you have to make those hard decisions.
“Unfortunately, I had to make that decision and I still stand by it because we warned Buttler twice before.
“That’s all we could do at that time.
“The Test series that has just finished was played in very good spirit, so hopefully we’ll play the ODI series in very good spirit, too.”
Sri Lanka believed Buttler was backing up too far during his century in the previous match at Lord’s — allowing him to sprint singles and turn ones into twos.
Senanayake’s decision to whip off the bails as Buttler was backing up at Edgbaston left England incensed.
It is known as Mankading after India’s Vinoo Mankad ran out Aussie Bill Brown in a Test in 1946. Although within the laws, it is often regarded as sneaky and dubious sportsmanship.
Alastair Cook, then one-day skipper, said at the time: “I was pretty disappointed.
“If Jos was properly trying to steal the single, then I could possibly understand. But he was only half-a-yard out of his crease.”
Despite their resurgence in white-ball cricket during the past year, England are sixth in the one-day rankings. Sri Lanka, who warmed up with two easy wins in Ireland, are fifth.
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What the laws say...
Law 42.15: Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before delivery (sometimes referred to as the Mankad).
The bowler is permitted, before entering his delivery stride, to attempt to run out the non-striker. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over.
If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal dead ball as soon as possible.
ENGLAND (possible): Roy, Hales, Root, Morgan (capt), Bairstow, Buttler (wkt), Moeen, Willey, Jordan, Finn.