A dramatic and contentious moment unfolded during the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match between India and Australia in Sharjah on October 13. The incident involved Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield, who was initially given out leg-before-wicket (LBW) but was later ruled not out, sparking debate and frustration among the Indian team.
In the 17th over of the game, India’s Deepti Sharma delivered a ball that hit Litchfield’s pads as she attempted a switch hit. The on-field umpire raised her finger, signaling LBW, but Litchfield opted for a review. The third umpire reviewed the decision and overturned it, citing that the ball had pitched outside the leg stump.
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Confusion Over Stance and Law Interpretation
The decision was contentious because Litchfield had attempted to switch her stance mid-delivery. Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana argued with the umpire, suggesting that Litchfield’s switch should have been considered as if she were batting right-handed for that delivery. However, according to MCC Law 36.3, the off-side of the wicket is determined by the batter’s stance at the moment the ball is released. Since Litchfield had not fully committed to her reverse sweep before the delivery, she was still considered a left-handed batter.
MCC Law 36.1.2 states that a batter can only be declared LBW if the ball pitches between the wickets or on the off-side of the striker’s wicket. This law protected Litchfield, allowing her to continue batting despite the initial LBW decision.
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Litchfield’s Impactful Innings
After surviving the LBW scare, Litchfield contributed significantly to Australia’s total. She scored 15 runs off just 9 balls, including a notable six over mid-wicket off Shreyanka Patil. Her quick cameo helped Australia post 151/8, with Grace Harris top-scoring with 40 runs and Tahlia McGrath and Ellyse Perry each scoring 32.
India’s Chase Falls Short
In response, India’s chase began on a shaky note as opener Mandhana fell early. Shafali Verma tried to capitalize on the powerplay, scoring 20 runs from 13 balls with two fours and a six. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur fought hard, remaining unbeaten with 54 runs off 47 balls, but lacked sufficient support from her teammates. Deepti Sharma was the only other batter to offer resistance, scoring 29 runs. Despite their efforts, India finished at 142/9 in their 20 overs, falling 9 runs short of the target.
Australia’s hard-fought victory was sealed as India failed to reach the required total. The match highlighted the importance of precise law interpretation and the impact of quick cameos in high-pressure games.
