Wicket-Keeper No-Ball: A Rare Occurrence in Cricket
In a rare turn of events, Northamptonshire wicket-keeper Lewis McManus committed a no-ball in a Vitality T20 Blast match against Somerset. The incident occurred when Somerset’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore was on strike and McManus appealed for a stumping. However, replays revealed that McManus’ gloves had crossed the line of the stumps before he collected the ball, prompting the third umpire to call a no-ball.
According to Law 27.3.1 and 27.3.2 set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the wicket-keeper must remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end until the ball comes into play or until the striker attempts a run. In this case, McManus’ gloves were ahead of the stumps before any of these conditions were met, resulting in the no-ball call.
The no-ball proved costly for Northamptonshire, as Kohler-Cadmore slammed the free-hit into the stands for six. He went on to score 63 runs, helping Somerset post a total of 215 in 20 overs. Northamptonshire fell 17 runs short in their chase.
This type of no-ball is uncommon in cricket, as wicket-keepers are typically careful to avoid crossing the line of the stumps. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the laws of the game.
