The ICC has confirmed that the decision to rule James Anderson as run-out on the final ball of England’s 111-run Cricket World Cup defeat to Australia was an error.
As England headed for the heavy loss, James Taylor was given out lbw by umpire Aleem Dar. The two England batsmen attempted a run before his finger was raised but Glenn Maxwell, fielding at point, threw down the stumps with Anderson short of his ground.
Taylor referred his dismissal to the DRS, which was overturned, but the on-field umpires then asked for the run-out to be considered, and Anderson was ruled out. However, the playing conditions in relation to the DRS state that the ball should have been declared dead as soon as Dar’s finger was raised, which occured before Maxwell released the ball, therefore he should not have been given out. Thus Taylor, who ended the innings stranded on 98 not out, was denied the chance of a century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The ICC released a statement after the game that read: “Following Australia’s 111-run victory over England in the Group A ICC Cricket World Cup clash at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night, the Playing Control Team (PCT) met and reviewed the final ball of the game which resulted in James Anderson being given run out.
“Article 3.6a of Appendix 6 of the Decision Review System (DRS) Playing Conditions states that the ball should have been deemed dead when the batsman (James Taylor) was given out leg before wicket (lbw). No further runs or dismissals were possible. The PCT spoke to the England team management and acknowledges that the game ended incorrectly and an error was made.”
