NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Several former West Indies players have questioned the dismissal of Danuska Gunathilaka, after the left-hander was controversially given out for obstructing the field during yesterday’s opening One-Day International here.
The incident occured in the 22nd over of the Sri Lanka innings when the left-handed Gunathilaka, who carved out an attractive 55 off 61 balls, defended a delivery from captain Kieron Pollard just in front of the crease.
Non-striker Pathum Nissanka (8) charged half-way down the pitch in search of a quick single but was sent back by Gunathilaka, whose feet became entangled with the ball in an attempt to regain his ground and as Pollard attempted to retrieve it, presumably in an effort to effect a run out at the other end.
Following Pollard’s surprising appeal, umpire Joel Wilson gave a ‘soft signal’ of out and television umpire Nigel Duguid subsequently upheld the decision, much to the astonishment of the batsman.
Law 37 of the game states that a batsman can be given out if “while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action”.
Sir Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Samuel Badree, all members of the television commentary team, raised doubt over whether the batsman’s actions had been “wilful”.
“My initial thought was it wasn’t wilful. When I saw it I thought that he stood there concerned about his partner and then of course Kieron Pollard charged down to get ball,” said Curtly.
“And he (Gunathilaka) back-pedalled really and looked as if his foot touched the ball but was it wilful? I’m not totally sure.”
Former leg-spinner Badree, who won two Twenty20 World Cups, said he too was unconvinced.
“(Nissanka) was way down the pitch and Kieron Pollard was charging towards that ball to get it to effect that potential run out,” said Badree,
“The bone of contention is really if the act was deliberate … in the eyes of the third umpire he deemed it to be deliberate. There’s still discussion around but I’m not totally convinced.”
Bishop was more categorical in his assessment.
“I don’t think there is any contention there in my quarters. It shouldn’t have been given 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 was wilful 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 given given out obstructing the field. Sri Lanka went on to be bowled out for 232 off 49 overs.
