India batter Punam praised for walking

India’s Punam Raut has joined an exclusive club of batters to walk during an international cricket match in the women’s Test against Australia on the Gold Coast.

Raut had made a patient 36 off 165 deliveries in India’s first innings at Metricon Stadium when a delivery from spinner Sophie Molineux flashed past her outside edge and into the gloves of Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy.

Despite a half-hearted appeal and umpire Phillip Gillespie shaking his head and saying “not out”, Raut turned on her heel and walked off.

Her sporting action was greeted with a standing ovation from her teammates as she crossed the boundary rope.

It also earned praise from ex-Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar who was commentating for the Seven Network.

“Talk about spirit of cricket,” Sthalekar said.

“You don’t get an opportunity to play Test cricket very often and Punam Raut says, ‘I’m going because I know I hit it’.

“Extraordinary scenes out here.”

Walking remains rare in international cricket, with Australian batter Beth Mooney reflecting the attitude of many players when asked if she would have made the same decision.

“No chance,” Mooney told the Seven Network.

Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was famous for walking throughout his career but was very much in the minority with that policy.

Given this week’s Test is a rare opportunity to play the longest form of the game in women’s cricket, with India and Australia playing a Test against each other for the first time in 15 years it makes Raut’s decision even more laudable.

India batter Punam praised for walking
Independent Information