Leicestershire submit complaint to ECB regarding Hassan Azad’s dismissal

The opener was stumped out by Hampshire’s Lewis McManus for 18 but footage revealed the wicketkeeper didn’t have the ball in his glove when he removed the bails

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Leicestershire’s chief executive officer, Sean Jarvis, has submitted a complaint to the ECB following an on-field incident during the club’s County Championship opener against Hampshire.

Leicestershire’s opening batsman, Hassan Azad, was dismissed for 18 in his side’s second innings after being stumped by Hampshire’s Lewis McManus. However, footage has revealed the wicketkeeper had the ball in his right glove before removing the bails with his left.

Law 29.1.1.5 states: "The wicket is put down if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps … by a fielder with his/her hand or arm, providing that the ball is held in the hand or hands so used, or in the hand of the arm so used."

Azad was therefore incorrectly signalled as out but Hampshire did not withdraw their appeal.

Leicestershire head coach, Paul Nixon, discussed the incident with match referee, Stuart Cummings, in the aftermath and the club is in contact with the ECB.

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In a statement, Jarvis said: "For everyone at Leicestershire, the behaviour displayed by Hampshire was extremely disappointing and has no place in the game.

"I have written to the ECB following the completion of this fixture to express the concerns and disappointment of what happened.

"I hope we can resolve this matter quickly and move on from the incident."

However, speaking in the aftermath, Hampshire captain, James Vince, defended his wicketkeeper and said his side knew nothing about the error until it was too late.

"Lewis [McManus] is pretty down about how it looks but from his and our point of view we weren’t aware there was an issue until a few overs later," Vince said.

"We’re talking split seconds. Had we known instantly we would have called [Azad] back and knowing Lewis if he’d known exactly what he’d done he would have said something."

Hampshire won the fixture by an innings and 105 runs after bowling Leicestershire out for 305.

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Comments

Posted by Les Bone on 18/04/2021 at 10:48

The umpires are there to adjudicate. Sometimes they make mistakes which is inevitable. A wrong decision. Sorry. Move on.

Posted by Ricky Gunn on 13/04/2021 at 20:48

It was reported that the initial appeal was for a catch. Has that yet been adjudicated upon? It didn't seem apparent in the video clip. If the catch was fair, then it was the right result for the wrong reason. If the catch appeal was spurious (like the 'keeper knew it was a timewasting con), then even more embarrassment for the 'keeper's integrity.

Posted by Paul Sullivan on 13/04/2021 at 16:35

In the spirit of cricket it is the keeper's responsibility to appeal only for a lawful dismissal. Did he not know the Laws of the game? If he did, why was the batsman not recalled? This is the equivalent of not walking for a catch to the keeper and as equally dishonest.

Posted by Brian Agus on 13/04/2021 at 14:02

Surely the fault is not that of the wicketkeeper but of the square leg umpire who gave the Out verdict.

Posted by REG MEARS on 13/04/2021 at 09:32

The incident happened so quickly, McManus was claiming a catch not a stumping , the rest of the Hampshire team saw the bails come off, the square leg umpire should have also realised he had made a mistake. It has now been blown out of all proportions. Surely on the last day the mistake could have been rectified by recalling Azad to continue his innings. This has now left a nasty taste between Leicestershire and Hampshire hope this is not reflected when they meet next month at Ageus. Finally I am a Hampshire supporter but these comments are a reflection as a cricket follower not the former

Posted by Damien Pepper on 12/04/2021 at 22:53

It's an unfortunate incident and if I were a Leicestershire cricket fan, I'm sure I'd have been a bit put out, but I believe what Vince said, so it's just, like I said, unfortunate but not deliberate cheating. Just move on.

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