Sadly the Beard Liberation Front question on Test Mtch Special’s Ask the Umpire wasnt reached today but by popular demand its below. With an increase in gamesmanship in the men’s game reaching even The Hundred the question is based on football goalkeepers dancing around in the goal to distract a penalty taker. That is not illegal but would a cricketer waggling their beard as a bowler delivered a ball be classified as obstruction?
A batsman with a WG Grace style beard moves his facial hair from side to side as the bowler is preparing to bowl. The bowler is distracted and bowls a no ball. He appeals that the batsman is out under Law 37.1 deliberately distracting the field
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