A video has been making rounds on social media in which a Canadian cricketer’s illegal activities were visible during a 20-over contest against the USA at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifiers last week. The incident took place in the first over of Canada’s innings at Reforma Athletic Club, with American seamer Sara Farooq bowling at opener Divya Saxena, who hand’t opened her account at the time.
Farooq’s short delivery was edged into the air, and son the American fielders sprinted in to claim the catch. But Saxena also ran towards where the ball was landing, obstructing American wicketkeeper Sindhu Sriharsha from potentially taking a catch.
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According to Law 37.3, “a batter is out obstructing the field if “wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker being out caught”. The USA team appealed for a wicket, but umpire Nigel Duguid allowed Divya Saxena to continue her innings.
New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham tweeted: “I know it’s less than ideal and blatant cheating but it’s still pretty funny.”
I know it’s less than ideal and blatant cheating but it’s still pretty funny 😂 https://t.co/9qkhmmkg1l
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) November 1, 2021
Ok this is wild… https://t.co/xfY56FY8Qs
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 31, 2021
Divya Saxena chips a delivery from Sara Farooq straight up and runs down the track. She ends up inches away from the ball, in the middle of 3 converging fielders. USA appeal for obstruction. Turned down.
Looked fishy, but hard to call that without a 3rd umpire! #AmericasQualifier— Ananya Upendran (@a_upendran11) October 24, 2021
The decision proved a crucial one — Saxena was teh highest run-getter for her team as she amassed 40 as Canada clinched a shock seven-run victory. It was America’s only defeat in the T20 competition. Cricket writer Nick Friend posted on Twitter: “This is sensational and by far the most gloriously blatant piece of obstructing the field I’ve ever seen.”
Obstructing the field dismissals are a rarity in competitive cricket, but instances always spark debate among pundits.
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Back in March, Sri Lankan batter Danushka Gunathilaka was controversially given out obstructing the field against the West Indies, while Victoria’s Sam Harper was dismissed with the bizarre dismissal during a Marsh Cup game a few weeks later. And England all-rounder Ben Stokes was infamously removed obstructing the field during a one-day match against Australia in 2015.
