Perry predicts pitch adjustment period

Ellyse Perry says Australia's batters will be more conscious of their footwork after a sudden crackdown on batters running on the protected area of the pitch on day three of the World T20 in the Caribbean.

A total of 15 penalty runs were awarded across two matches at Guyana's Providence Stadium on Sunday due to batters running on the protected area

The first two instances came in India's seven-wicket win over Pakistan, when after several warnings Pakistan were penalised five runs in the 18th over after Bismah Maroof ran onto the danger area. Then, on the final ball of the innings, new batter Sidra Nawaz was judged to have committed the same offence.

It meant India were given a 10-run head start in pursuit of Pakistan's 7-133, a target they ultimately reached with an over remaining – despite also receiving a warning (but no penalty) for running on the wicket.

In the day's second match, Ireland were slapped with a five-run penalty after captain Laura Delany erred for a second time in running on the protected area.

It mattered little to the overall result as Australia reached their target of 94 in 9.1 overs, but it did give the Australians food for thought, particularly given the slow nature of the pitches at Providence Stadium which entice batters to advance down the wicket.

Both Australia and Ireland were warned by umpires ahead of the match, and Perry said she could see the rationale in protecting the wickets, given there are at least two games being played on each of the five match days at Providence Stadium. 

"I'm hazarding a guess (they are doing this because) we should look after them so they keep playing fine," Perry said.

"If girls aren't used to it, there's going to be a small adjustment period, but the fact they've been clear and harsh on it means it should be a quick result in terms of people not doing it.

"We spoke about it briefly before we started, just to be mindful of it and aware of it."

Perry doesn't expect the crackdown to change the approach of Australia's batters to the slower bowlers, given advancing down the wicket puts them close to the danger zone when setting off for a run, but said it may be looked at during Monday's training session.

"I think batters are well within their rights to come down to the pitch of the ball," she said. 

"I suppose it's just after you play that shot being particularly aware of where your following steps are, maybe that's something we can kind of practice a little bit at training. 

"As I said, I don't think there was any issues with us tonight, so I don't see it being a big deal."

While the sudden crackdown seemed to catch the Pakistan and Ireland players by surprise, both teams were happy to take responsibility.

"It's a part of the game and I know it's a silly mistake from us," Pakistan allrounder Nida Dar said.

"We shouldn't do this thing and we should learn from this."

Image Id: 2545CFB863BC48408C3EB8F1148ED697 Image Caption: Nida Dar scored a half-century against India // ICC

Ireland bowler Kim Garth was more blunt in her response.

"We had seen this morning that there were 10 runs (penalised) so we were aware of that," Garth said.

"It's a bit unusual, but I'm more surprised that we didn't learn from it and the same with Pakistan.

"To do it once is criminal, but to do it twice is a bit of a brain explosion and we definitely should have learned from it."

While the players seemed happy to accept the umpires' direction, the harshness of the penalties prompted some debate on social media, with former England captain Charlotte Edwards, who is currently in St Lucia where the Group A games are based, questioning the impact it could have on the way the slower bowlers were played.

"This whole "running down the wicket" seems harsh," Edwards Tweeted. 

"Surely the rule needs to be different for the women's game, women hardly damage the pitch at the best of times. Last thing we want is slow spin being played from the crease!!!"

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia beat Pakistan by 52 runs

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground