SOUND NORTH, Antigua, CMC – Several former West Indies players have questioned the dismissal of Danuska Gunathilaka, after the left-hander was controversially ruled out for blocking the pitch during yesterday’s international one-day opening.
The incident occurred in the 22nd over of Sri Lankan pubs when the left-hander Gunathilaka, who carved an attractive 55 off 61 balls, defended a delivery by captain Kieron Pollard just in front of the crease.
Non-attacker Pathum Nissanka (8) charged midway down the field in search of a quick single but was sent back by Gunathilaka, whose feet became addicted to the ball in a bid to regain his ground for Pollard to try to retrieve it, probably in an effort to run out at the other end.
Following Pollard’s surprise appeal, referee Joel Wilson gave a ‘soft signal’ from an umpire and on TV Nigel Duguid subsequently confirmed the decision, much to the batsman’s surprise.
Law 37 of the game states that a batsman can be put out “while the ball is playing, he / she deliberately tries to block or distract the pitch alongside a word or action”.
Sir Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Samuel Badree, all members of the television commentary team, questioned whether the batsman’s actions had been “deliberate”.
“My initial thought was that it wasn’t intentional. When I saw him I thought he was standing there worried about his partner and then of course Kieron Pollard got down to have a ball, ”said Curtly.
“And he (Gunathilaka) actually pedaled back and looked like his foot was touching the ball but was it intentional? I’m not quite sure. ”
Former leg spinner Badree, who won two Twenty20 World Cups, said he was also not convinced.
“(Nissanka) was well down the field and Kieron Pollard was charging towards that ball to get it to affect that run-out potential,” said Badree,
“The bone of contention really is if the act was intentional… in the eyes of the third umpire he considered it intentional. There is still debate but I am not completely convinced. ”
Bishop was more assertive in his assessment.
“I don’t think there is any contention in my quarters. It should not have been put out, ”said the former fast bowler.
Former Test captain Darren Sammy, who oversaw the Caribbean side’s capture of their two T20 World Cups, also weighed in on Twitter.
“Don’t think that’s intentional at all. I wouldn’t appeal but hey…, ”he tweeted.
With the dismissal, Gunathilaka became only the eighth batsman in ODI history and the first Sri Lankan to be put out blocking the field. Sri Lanka went on to be bowled out for 232 off 49 overs.