Sri Lanka opener Danushka Gunathilaka’s controversial dismissal in the first ODI marred West Indies’ emphatic 8-wicket win in Antigua on Wednesday. Notably, Gunathilaka was judged to have obstructed the field when he defended a Kieron Pollard delivery and moved a few steps forward.
Sensing a run-out opportunity, Pollard sprinted towards the ball but retreating Gunathilaka’s heel diverted it out of reach of the West Indies captain. Pollard immediately appealed and on-field umpire Joe Wilson gave a soft signal of out before television umpire Nigel Guguid ruled that Gunathilaka had deliberately attempted to foil the runout.
The controversial and bizarre dismissal of the Sri Lankan opener has invited different reactions from cricket experts and fans. While, Michael Vaughan, Tom Moody and Daren Sammy questioned the third umpire’s decision, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has lauded it.
However, West Indies Cricket released pictures of both Danushka Gunathilake and West Indies captain Keiron Pollard having a chat after the end of 1st ODI. Gunathilake, while speaking to NewsWire, revealed that Pollard apologized for the controversial ‘obstructing the field’ dismissal.
“He apologized, He told me he didn’t see that properly at that time and only after he saw the video he realized I didn’t do anything,” Danushka Gunathilake told NewsWire.
The dismissal was followed by a couple of run-outs as Sri Lanka lost their rhythm and were all out for 232. West Indies surpassed that total with Shai Hope making 110 and his opening partner Evin Lewis adding 65. The second game of the three-match series is scheduled for Friday at the same venue.
