Dead-ball rule explained: Harmanpreet unhappy over run-out call

Harmanpreet Kaur was left fuming as Amelia Kerr survived a close run out when India and New Zealand locked horns in the group match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Friday, October 4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the last ball of the 14th over of the White Ferns’ innings, a strong throw from Harmanpreet caught Kerr short at the striker’s end.
The Indians celebrated and Kerr was also on the way back to the pavilion. But then, the umpires decided to call the batter back. Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana were not happy, having a heated discussion with the on-field umpires Jacqueline Williams and Anna Harris. Head coach Amol Mazumdar also had a discussion with the fourth umpire.
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It started with Kerr initially taking a single down the ground off Deepti Sharma. When Harmanpreet had the ball in her hands at long-off, Kerr and New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine tried to pinch a second run. But Devine sent back Kerr, who could not make her way back. Richa Ghosh took the bails off at the striker’s end and erupted in joy.
When the players were celebrating the dismissal, the umpires asked Kerr to come back after deciding that the ball was already ‘dead’ when Richa affected the run out. Play was held up for quite some time before the fourth umpire asked for play to be continued.
Kerr was batting on 14 when the controversy happened. However, she failed to make use of the lifeline after Renuka Singh got her caught by Pooja Vastrakar at extra cover. Kerr scored 13 runs off 22 balls and also built a partnership of 32 runs with Devine for the third wicket.
Commentator WV Raman said that the umpires considered the ball dead when the umpire handed over the cap to Deepti at the end of the over.
What does the dead-ball rule say?
As per the MCC Laws
20.4 Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball
20.4.1 When the ball has become dead under 20.1, the bowler’s end umpire may call and signal Dead ball if it is necessary to inform the players.
20.4.2 Where either umpire is required to call and signal Dead ball under 20.4.2.1 to 20.4.2.14, the ball will be considered to be dead at the instant of the incident causing the ball to become dead. However, where the Law specifically provides for the call to be delayed, so as not to disadvantage the non-offending side, under Law 25.7 (Restriction on the striker’s runner), Law 34.4 (Runs permitted from the ball lawfully struck more than once), Law 41.2.1 (Unfair actions) and Law 42.1.2 (Unacceptable conduct), the ball will be considered to be dead at the point of the call.
Either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball when
20.4.2.1 intervening in a case of unfair play.
20.4.2.2 a possibly serious injury to a player or umpire occurs.
20.4.2.3 leaving his/her normal position for consultation.
20.4.2.4 one or both bails fall from the striker’s wicket before the striker has had the opportunity of playing the ball.
20.4.2.5 the striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, makes no attempt to play it. Provided the umpire is satisfied that the striker had adequate reason for not being ready, the ball shall not count as one of the over.
20.4.2.6 the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery. This shall apply whether the source of the distraction is within the match or outside it. Note also 20.4.2.7. The ball shall not count as one of the over.
20.4.2.7 there is an instance of a deliberate attempt to distract under either of Laws 41.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker) or 41.5 (Deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batter). The ball shall not count as one of the over.
20.4.2.8 the bowler drops the ball accidentally before delivery.
20.4.2.9 the bowler throws the ball towards the striker’s end before entering his/her delivery stride
20.4.2.10 the ball does not leave the bowler’s hand for any reason other than an attempt to run out the nonstriker under Law 38.3 (Non-striker leaving his/her ground early).
20.4.2.11 satisfied that the ball in play cannot be recovered.
20.4.2.12 he/she considers that either side has been disadvantaged by a person, animal or other object within, or over, the field of play. However, if both umpires consider the ball would have reached the boundary regardless of the intervention, the boundary shall be awarded. See Law 19.2.7 (Identifying and marking the boundary).
20.4.2.13 the striker attempts to play the ball and no part of his/her bat or person, whether grounded or raised, remains within the pitch as defined in Law 6.1 (Area of pitch).
20.4.2.14 he/she is required to do so under any of the Laws not included above.