SL vs NZ | Twitter celebrates as Avishka Fernando’s fielding wizardry earns Jayasuriya’s applause

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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Appreciation plays a crucial role in team sports, often boosting morale. A prime example unfolded during the second ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, where Avishka Fernando’s brilliant catch in the deep dismissed Glenn Phillips, earning well-deserved applause from Sanath Jayasuriya.

‌Skipper Charith Asalanka's decision to bowl first in overcast conditions paid off as Sri Lanka reduced New Zealand to 31/2 early, with Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana striking. Rain interrupted play twice, leading to delays of 34 and 35 minutes, ultimately reducing the game to 47 overs. New Zealand's Mark Chapman and Will Young steadied the innings with a 38-run stand before Jeffrey Vandersay dismissed Young in the 17th over. By the 23rd over, New Zealand reached 98/3, with Chapman and Glenn Phillips at the crease. However, wickets continued to tumble as Phillips was scalped by Charith Asalanka, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Avishka Fernando. 

 

On the first ball of the 24th over, Charith Asalanka dished a good-length delivery, which the Kiwi batter attempted to sweep but mistimed. The ball soared toward the fine leg where Avishka Fernando, positioned at deep backward square leg, made a stunning sprint and a last-second forward dive. Unsure of the catch, the on-field umpires referred the decision upstairs, and the replay confirmed Fernando had cleanly caught the ball without dropping it. As the big screen flashed "OUT," the crowd erupted in celebration, and social media quickly hailed Fernando’s acrobatic stunner.

 Fantastic catch

Good

Big win

Interesting

Pretty good

DelayedODI

Rain affected game

Oh no

India leads

The worst

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