WATCH: Carlos Braithwaite Throws Ball At Batter, Umpires Immediately Levies Harsh Penalty

What was the reason for the umpire to impose a five-run penalty on Birmingham Bears?

Cricket Image for WATCH: Carlos Braithwaite Throws Ball At Batter, Umpires Immediately Levies Harsh (Image Source: Twitter)

The laws of cricket are there to keep everyone involved in the game to conduct themselves accordingly. Umpires are present to make sure everyone is following the rules and the game is being played according to the laws. 

The umpires are the best judge of whatever is happening on the field and they interpret things according to what is written in the rule book. They have the power to pause the play and make sure the concerned parties are following the rules and can even penalise them on the spot. 

During the T20 Blast match between Birmingham and Derbyshire, Carlos Braithwaite's conduct was immediately taken into account and the team was levied five runs penalty because of it. 

During the 13th over of the second inning, Braithwaite was bowling to Wayne Madsen, who was playing at 34 off 20 balls. On the third ball, Madsen pushed the ball back to Braithwaite. During the act, it seemed that Madsen got out of the crease and as soon as Braithwaite grabbed the ball, he threw it right at the stumps. 

Madsen was back in the crease, the ball hit his legs, got deflected and the two batters stole a single. Braithwaite immediately apologised but the umpire wasn't impressed by whatever happened. 

He immediately talked to Braithwaite and gave his conduct of levying a five-run penalty to the team. Braithwaite wasn't happy and was disappointed with the penalty imposed on him. 

Not ideal for Carlos Brathwaite

A 5-run penalty was given against the Bears after this incident...#Blast22 pic.twitter.com/pXZLGcEGYa

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 19, 2022

Why Was The 5 Run Penalty Imposed? 

If an umpire interprets any action from a bowling side that tries to deliberately distract, deceive, or obstruct the batter through words or physical contact, he can penalise the team. 

In this incident, the umpire interpreted that it was unfair of Braithwaite to throw the ball towards the batter and immediately imposed the five-run penalty. Because the batters ran after the incident happened, that single won't be counted and the ball won't be counted in the over as well. 

In the 13th over, a total of six balls were bowled by Braithwaite where he gave away nine runs plus five more runs as penalty. 

This was the process that the umpire followed after the incident:

Law 41.5 Deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batter: 

41.5.1 it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batter after the striker has received the ball.

41.5.2 It is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction, deception or obstruction is wilful or not.

41.5.3 If either umpire considers that a fielder has caused or attempted to cause such a distraction, deception or obstruction, he/she shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.  

41.5.4 Neither batter shall be dismissed from that delivery.

41.5.5 If an obstruction involves physical contact, the umpires together shall decide whether or not an offence under Law 42 (Players’ conduct) has been committed.

41.5.6 The bowler’s end umpire shall a) award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side b) inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action and as soon as practicable inform the captain of the batting side. 

41.5.7 The ball shall not count as one of the over.

41.5.8 Any runs completed by the batters before the offence shall be scored, together with any runs for penalties awarded to either side.  Additionally, the run in progress shall be scored whether or not the batters had already crossed at the instant of the offence.

41.5.9 The batters at the wicket shall decide which of them is to face the next delivery.

41.5.10 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.