VIDEO | Niroshan Dickwella’s animated persuasion costs Sri Lanka two reviews
Technology has seeped deep into modern cricket to keep the game free of errors as much as possible, so much so that even the umpires become irrelevant at times. Niroshan Dickwella still decided to use all his persuasive powers on the official that led his side to lose two consecutive reviews.
After losing the ODI series at home to England, the Lankans have looked desperate to get some out of the ongoing Test series following which England’s tour will come to an end. And their want was clear summed up by Dickwella’s extraordinary appeal on the first day of the first Test match.
With Rory Burns and Moeen Ali dismissed on consecutive deliveries Sri Lanka looked on the top of the game with England reduced to 10/2 after just three overs. Hence, when Akila Dhananjaya looked to have caught Joe Root plumb as the escaped his attempted sweep in the 10th over, Dickwella couldn’t contain himself and appealed loudly like a hungry child wailing its arms demanding for food or like Shahrukh Khan striking his famous pose.Â
It was so persuasive that although the umpire didn’t believe, his skipper Dinesh Chandimal bought it and went for the review. The review showed the ball pitched outside off and impacted outside off as well with Sri Lanka losing the review.
It didn’t work but a persuasive Dickwella didn’t lose heart and persisted with it two overs later when Dhananjaya was bowling again. This time it was Jennings at the striker’s end whose attempted sweep shot missed the off-break delivery completely. Dickwella was again on with his animated shenanigans as he bent back and spread his arms and waved them with a loud appeal.Â
The umpire was not convinced this time too, but Chandimal was convinced again. Sri Lanka took the review yet again as the Ultra-edge showed what the field umpire had already stated. Chandimal would think thrice the next time Dickwella screams wolf.