Bowled off a free-hit
Plays of the Day from the tri-series ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Dambulla
Siddarth Ravindran in Dambulla
16-Aug-2010
Sections of the crowd celebrated Virender Sehwag getting bowled, but it didn't count • AFP
Tentative Samaraweera
In Sri Lanka's first match of the tournament, Thilan Samaraweera showed off nifty footwork in a brisk 36 to guide his team in the final stretch of the chase. There wasn't any of that confidence on display today during a troubled 23-minute stay. Four of his seven runs came off an inside-edge past the keeper; he was beaten outside off, struck on the pads, and attempted a couple of manic singles before turning back. It ended with a tame tuck which lobbed gently to short midwicket.
In Sri Lanka's first match of the tournament, Thilan Samaraweera showed off nifty footwork in a brisk 36 to guide his team in the final stretch of the chase. There wasn't any of that confidence on display today during a troubled 23-minute stay. Four of his seven runs came off an inside-edge past the keeper; he was beaten outside off, struck on the pads, and attempted a couple of manic singles before turning back. It ended with a tame tuck which lobbed gently to short midwicket.
Something to shout about
The Dambulla stadium was by no means a full house but the biggest crowd of the tournament showed up. After 29 overs, the drums were silent and the singing stopped as Sri Lanka had faltered to 97 for 6, but they briefly came back to life when Ravindra Jadeja gave away an overthrow after moving across from extra cover. The decibel count went up a notch when Virat Kohli also didn't field the overthrow cleanly at long-on, allowing Sri Lanka to take a third.
The Dambulla stadium was by no means a full house but the biggest crowd of the tournament showed up. After 29 overs, the drums were silent and the singing stopped as Sri Lanka had faltered to 97 for 6, but they briefly came back to life when Ravindra Jadeja gave away an overthrow after moving across from extra cover. The decibel count went up a notch when Virat Kohli also didn't field the overthrow cleanly at long-on, allowing Sri Lanka to take a third.
Get out of jail free
Virender Sehwag was bowled in the first over off a low full toss from Lasith Malinga, sending some of the fans, who hadn't being paying attention earlier, into raptures. It was a free-hit. In the 20th over, there was again a shout of joy as the ball swirled towards Nuwan Kulasekara at mid-on. Kulasekara dropped it, but it was again off a free-hit, following an eagerly awaited event - a Dilhara Fernando no-ball. The scorer even announced, "This is Fernando's first no-ball of the match."
Virender Sehwag was bowled in the first over off a low full toss from Lasith Malinga, sending some of the fans, who hadn't being paying attention earlier, into raptures. It was a free-hit. In the 20th over, there was again a shout of joy as the ball swirled towards Nuwan Kulasekara at mid-on. Kulasekara dropped it, but it was again off a free-hit, following an eagerly awaited event - a Dilhara Fernando no-ball. The scorer even announced, "This is Fernando's first no-ball of the match."
A duck for Rohit
Rohit Sharma probably stayed as long at the crease after being given lbw as he did while on strike. Umpire Asad Rauf raised his finger though there seemed to be an inside edge on Rohit's second delivery. Rohit stood there in disbelief for a while, showed the umpire the bat before starting the slow trudge back, looking at the giant screen for replays of his dismissal. Expect the match referee to have a word with him.
Rohit Sharma probably stayed as long at the crease after being given lbw as he did while on strike. Umpire Asad Rauf raised his finger though there seemed to be an inside edge on Rohit's second delivery. Rohit stood there in disbelief for a while, showed the umpire the bat before starting the slow trudge back, looking at the giant screen for replays of his dismissal. Expect the match referee to have a word with him.
Sangakkara's stunner
Defending a small total, Sri Lanka needed to be sharp in the field. Their captain Kumar Sangakkara, led by example, leaping to latch on low to a thick outside side from Virat Kohli with one hand, prompting gasps of awe from the home fans. India had slipped to 31 for 2, and Sri Lanka sensed an outside chance.
Defending a small total, Sri Lanka needed to be sharp in the field. Their captain Kumar Sangakkara, led by example, leaping to latch on low to a thick outside side from Virat Kohli with one hand, prompting gasps of awe from the home fans. India had slipped to 31 for 2, and Sri Lanka sensed an outside chance.
Siddarth Ravindran is a sub-editor at Cricinfo