WI vs SL 1st ODI: Danushka Gunathilaka given out for field obstruction

During the first One Day International series between Sri Lanka and West Indies, Sri Lankan opener Danushka Gunathilaka was given out as the West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard appealed for obstruction of the field in Antigua today.

Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Both the openers set up a brilliant 100 run partnership before Dimuth Karunaratne got caught and bowled by Pollard in the 20th over.

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One over later, when Pollard came to bowl the 22nd over, the ball seemed to be a slower one outside off, as Gunathilaka tries to guide it down to the third man; it gets an under-edge and rolls on the wicket. This causes the two Sri Lankans to run in between the wickets, however, Gunthilaka starts to run back to the crease as Pollard chases after the ball for a run-out opportunity.

Gunathilaka is seen kicking the ball from Pollard as he runs back causing Pollard to appeal for field obstruction. With the soft signal by the umpire being out, the third umpire is called. In the replay, Gunathilaka did not know where the ball was but he does kick it as he tries to get back to his crease. According to the replay, he does glance down but it seems like he did that after kicking the ball.

The third umpire rules the decision in favour of the West Indies and he is thus given out after scoring 55 runs from 61 deliveries. In international cricket, this type of dismissal is uncommon and has been given only once in Test cricket, eight times in ODI and twice in T20Is.