Zing bail glitch saves Sri Lanka’s Chamika Karunaratne from getting out

At Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, propelled by Henry Shipley’s fifer, bowled Sri Lanka out for 76, their fifth-lowest ODI total (and the lowest total against New Zealand), to win the first ODI by a commanding 198 runs.

Karunaratne emerged as the best bowler for the Dasun Shanaka-led team, taking 4/43 in his nine overs to restrict the Kiwis to 274 runs. He was nevertheless required to contribute with the bat as well because the Sri Lankan batting order suffered a severe breakdown. Karunaratne raced through for a quick single against Blair Tickner on the fourth ball of the 18th over but missed his crease.

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He wasn’t found guilty, much to everyone’s surprise, because the zing bails didn’t light up due to battery failure even though they were timely removed. Karunaratne expressed gratitude for his good fortune.

At Eden Park, the Kiwis completely destroyed the Lankans in the first ODI. After SL requested that the hosts bat first, NZ were all-out on 274 in the first innings. Chamika Karunaratne scored four times in a row. For the Kiwis, fine innings were played by Finn Allen (51), Rachin Ravindra (49), and Daryl Mitchell (47).

While trying to reach a par total, Sri Lanka’s innings never really got going. Due to the Sri Lankan batters’ poor shot selection, Henry Shipley and Matt Henry were able to bowl superbly with the new ball. They were 31-5 after 10 overs, and from that point on, there was no going back.

Angelo Mathews was the only top-order batsman to score in double figures as Sri Lanka struggled to a meagre 76 before being bowled out. Shipley, who claimed 5-31 in 7 overs and scored his first ODI century, was New Zealand’s best bowler.