ENG vs SL | Twitter winces as Wood's fiery bumper makes Chandimal's thumb instantly swell up

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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A hard cricket ball all too often makes bats made from the highest quality woods split into two and one can only imagine what it can do to human flesh. Dinesh Chandimal certainly did not have to wonder much on Friday as Mark Wood's express pace forced him to retire hurt in agonizing fashion.

A maiden Test ton for Jamie Smith and some admirable rearguard action for the tail meant England ended up taking a significant lead of 122 runs in the first innings at Old Trafford on Day 3. With the odds stacked against them, Sri Lanka crumbled, losing two wickets within the first 10 balls of their second batting effort before Dimuth Karunaratne failed to contend with Mark Wood's express pace to make the scorecard read 52/3. However, things only went from bad to worse for the visitors, as they were reduced to 10 men in unfortunate circumstancces.

Wood steamed in for his third over in the second session with the score 74/3 after 17 and Dinesh Chandimal on strike, batting on 10. The right-arm quick's first effort flew down the leg innocously at 140ks but it was simply a red herring given what was to come. Wood's next ball was much straighter, shorter, and quicker at 149ks, while the abrasive Manchester deck meant there was reverse swing on offer too. The Duke's spat up off the surface and crashed straight into Chandimal's right thumb along the bat grip, sending a wave of pain coursing through the batter's body.

Chandimal wasted no time in calling for the physio while he shook his arm around in distress. The cameras zoomed in on the appendage while the Lankan was receiving treatment and there seemed to be already significant swelling at the base of the thumb despite the protective layer of the glove. Chandimal's restless body language and visible distress on his face painted a vivid picture of the agony he was in even as the physio tried to apply the pain-relief spray.

Eventually, Chandimal embraced the inevitable and walked off distraught, becoming another example for Twitterati of the sheer damage raw pace can inflict.

Deadly pace

Retired hurt

Ruthless stuff

Experience required

Smashed

Hit on finger

Hell

More damage

Improved a lot

Strikes again

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