It's a tie, but why?
Tony Becca, Senior Sport Editor
Jamaica Gleaner
April 23, 1999
BACK IN 1993 when the one-day international between the
West Indies and Pakistan at Bourda was ruled a tie
following the invasion of the field by spectators, the question
was asked, why?
Today, following a similar incident on Wednesday, also at
Bourda, and a similar ruling, it must again be asked, why?
On April 3, 1993, the West Indies, replying to Pakistan's
244 for six, were 242 for five and, according to the rules
governing the series, needed two runs to win when Ian
Bishop stroked the last ball of the match from Wasim
Akram towards long-on and the crowd invaded the field as
the batsmen took off for the first run with the ball going
towards substitute Zahid Fazal.
A run out, on the first or second run, would have left the
West Indies short of victory, but they got home safely with
Carl Hooper beating Fazal's throw to Akram.
The match was ruled a tie on the reasoning that the
spectators affected Fazal's ability to field the ball quickly
and to throw it to Akram.
On Wednesday, Australia, replying to the West Indies 173
for five, were 170 for seven and needed four runs to win when
Steve Waugh hit the last ball of the match from Keith
Arthurton towards long-on and the crowd invaded the field as
the batsmen took off for the first run with the ball going
towards Stuart Williams.
Two runs would have meant victory for the West Indies,
three runs, according to the present rule, would have tied the
match and four would have handed Australia victory.
With the crowd all over the field, Australia got two and, after
viewing the film, after discussing the matter with
representatives of both teams, Raman Subba Row, who was
also the match referee in 1993, ruled it a tie.
In 1993, Pakistan may have been unfortunate not to have
been awarded the match. Although it is possible that even
without the invasion, Fazal could have fumbled long enough
for the second run to be made safely or could have sent in a
bad return, there was no doubt the invasion interfered with
the fielder.
On Wednesday, the shoe was on the other foot and the
West Indies were unfortunate not to have been awarded the
match. Although the crowd invaded the field and although it
is possible that Arthurton, in the tension of the moment,
could have done something surprising with Australia
desperately attempting a third run, there is hardly any doubt
Australia would not have made it for a third run to tie the
game, much less a fourth to win it.
The ruling of a tie on each occasion seems to have been a
cop out - a weak decision.
With no provisions in the rules to penalise the home team
for the behaviour of its spectators, the match referee should
have decided what effect the invasions had on the result of
the matches and ruled in favour of the team which was
affected. Either that, or he should have ruled them
abandoned.
In 1993, Pakistan was the team affected and on Wednesday
it was the West Indies.
What is important to remember also is that a tie is when a
match ends with the score level and for a match which does
not end with the score level to be recorded as a tie is a
misrepresentation of the facts.
While the ruling of Subba Row on Wednesday is
questionable - as it was in 1993, the invasion of the field by
spectators on Wednesday - as it was at Bourda in 1993, as
it was at Sabina Park during the second Test, as it was at
Kensington Oval during the third Test and as it has been in
the Caribbean in previous years, is an embarrassment to
West Indies cricket, and something must be done about it.
At Kensington Oval, the local board, with the help of the
police, took steps to prevent a recurrence during the Test
match and they succeeded. The other boards have to follow
the BCA's example - either that or the West Indies Board
should schedule matches elsewhere.
The present situation could lead to players being injured -
intentionally or not. It could also lead to the rest of the
cricket world saying no to the World Cup being staged in the
West Indies.
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