Chamika Karunaratne escapes run-out due to zing bail's battery failure during SL vs NZ first ODI

SL vs NZ 1st ODI (Image credit: Twitter)

Cricket is known for bizarre occurrences that make games more interesting and sometimes frustrating due to unfortunate results. Eden Park in Auckland witnessed a similar strange incident during the first ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on Saturday, March 25. Chamika Karunaratne, Sri Lanka's top performer with the ball during the game, got a huge reprieve due to a technical fault.

After clinching the two-match Test series, New Zealand started the 50-over contest with a thumping 198-run win over the visitors. Karunaratne was brilliant for Sri Lanka, taking four wickets for 43 runs in his nine overs to settle the Kiwis for 274 after electing to field first. But the bowling all-rounder failed to save his team from a humiliating defeat.

The Lankan batting unit suffered a massive collapse and a strange incident occurred in the 18th over when Karunaratne was rendering his services with the bat. Facing Blair Tickner on the fourth ball of the over, the right-handed batter tried to take a quick single but failed to get back to the crease in time, leading to his dismissal.

The runout decision was sent upstairs and everyone was stunned when the third umpire confirmed that he was not out. Karunaratne was lucky as the bails hit the stumps in time but the electronic zing bails did not light due to a battery fault. His dismissal was overturned but the 26-year-old was unable to capitalize on his second life as Henry Shipley sent back him to the pavilion for 11 in the very next over.

Quiet unfortunate and hilarious incident ,, Bail dead battery save Chamika Karunaratne , he was clearly short of the crease but given Not Out, #NZvsSL #NZvSL #SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/Cbgcx0RODW

— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) March 25, 2023

Shipley's fifer gave Black Caps a comprehensive win

Chasing 275 runs, everyone expected Sri Lanka to put up a decent fight but they were bowled out for 76 runs in 19.5 overs. Matt Henry drew first blood by dismissing Nuwanidu Fernando in the third over and then the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals. They lost their half-side inside the first powerplay as Shipley dominated the pitch with four wickets. The right-arm medium fast completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Karunaratne. Angelo Mathews was their top scorer with 18 runs. Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, Finn Allen laid the foundation in the top order for the hosts with a superb half-century (51 off 49 balls). Mitchell's 47 off 58 balls, Glenn Phillips' 39 off 42 balls and Rachin Ravindra's 49 off 52 balls gave the Kiwis a respectable score. Apart from Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara also shone for Lanka with two wickets each.