In case of Inzamam, it was quite clear. He was outside the crease when he blocked the throw. Its out. On how many occassions we see a batsman step out and play the delivery back to the bowler when the bowler gathers the ball and throws the ball straight back at the batsman, not at the stumps, at the bats man. The batsman simply rushes back to the crease and moves out of the line of the ball. How many of them stop the ball with the bat? We see similar things when close in fielders throw balls back at the batsman if he is out of the crease to hurry him back to the crease. None of them stops the ball with the bat but just move out of the way of the ball and get back into the crease. Inzamam is not a quick mover and its difficult for him to move his bulky structure out of the line of the ball, but he cant stop the ball with his bat.

On numerous occassions we see batsmen deliberately get between the throw and the stump and bravely take the blow on the body to save their wicket. The umpires cant give them out as they do it in the process of taking the run. I think the best thing to do when a throw is coming your way and you dont have the time to move out is to take the blow on the body. I understand that an evasive action is a reflex action and can not be planned, but the rule is very clear- if you are out of the crease and you stop a throw with your bat, you are out.

I completely agree that Inzamam had no bad intentions in the act but I cant see how he can compalin about it or how can one blame the Indian fielders for appealing. Inzamam was out of the crease and had he not blocked the throw, the ball might have deflected of his body on to the stumps. I dont see anything against the spirit of the game.

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