It was a narrow escape for David Hussey. Hussey (on 17 then) being eventually ruled not out for handling the ball/obstructing the field here on Sunday, reopened the debate on the laws that can be viewed differently by different people.
The incident happened in the 24th over of the Australian innings when the left-handed Matthew Wade played one to short-cover and set off for a run.
As Hussey was racing to the striker's end, Suresh Raina fired in a throw towards 'keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Running in a straight-line, Hussey put out his hand, arguably in an effort to stop the ball from hitting him. The Indians immediately appealed.
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Standing umpire Billy Bowden and square-leg umpire Simon Taufel, after discussing the merits of the appeal, referred the decision to the third umpire. Play was held up for nearly four minutes before the verdict was out. Hussey was adjudged ‘not out.'
Benefit of doubt
The Indians were unhappy and made no attempt to mask their emotions. Hussey was, perhaps, given the benefit of doubt since he did not change his direction while running to the other end and the ball might have struck him on the body had he not stopped the sphere with his hand.
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In a rule change last year, an addition was made to Law 37. A batsman can now be given out obstructing the field if he changes his direction while running and comes in the way of a throw.
And the law on handling the ball (Law 33) states: “(a) Either batsman is out Handled the ball if he wilfully touches the ball while in play with a hand or hands not holding the bat unless he does so with the consent of a fielder. (b) Either batsman is out under this Law if, while the ball is in play, and without the consent of a fielder, he uses his hand or hands not holding the bat to return the ball to any fielder.” But it adds, “Notwithstanding 1(a) above, a batsman will not be out under this Law if he handles the ball to avoid injury.”
Law 37, which deals with obstructing the field, says: “Either batsman is out obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the fielding side by word or action. Furthermore, it shall be regarded as obstruction if while the ball is in play either batsman wilfully, and without the consent of a fielder, strikes the ball with his bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, after the ball has been touched by a fielder. This shall apply whether or not there is any disadvantage to the fielding side.”
On this occasion, Hussey, seen by the umpires to be taking evasive action, stayed on.