SA-born cricketer guilty of ‘fake fielding’

Cape Town - South African-born Marnus Labuschagne on Friday became the first fielder penalised under cricket's new "fake fielding" rule.

The 23-year, who was born in Klerksdorp, was playing in a one-day game for Australian state side Queensland against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane.

Labuschagne scored 61 to help steer Queensland to a four-wicket win, but this game will be remembered for another reason.

According to cricket specialist website, ESPNcricinfo, the Cricket Australia XI received five penalty runs after Labuschagne's indiscretion.

Cricket Australia XI batsman Param Uppal reportedly drove a ball towards mid-off, where Labuschagne dived and missed the ball, before faking a throw.

This led to Uppal initially turning back from his run, but once the batsman realised the ball had passed Labuschagne, he completed the run.

The MCC's new Law 41.5 states: "It is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball". The umpires have the discretion to award five penalty runs if they determine that such deception is wilful”.

In a paper summarising the Law changes, the MCC stated specifically that mock fielding, "where a fielder feigns to field the ball and/or feigns to throw a non-existent ball in an attempt to prevent the batsmen running", was regarded as unfair and was a target of this new Law.

Although the MCC's revised Laws come into effect from October 1, this game was played under the new rules.

Labuschagne has represented Queensland since 2014 and has played 22 first-class, 11 one-day and three T20 games for them.