ENG vs SL: Twitter reacts as sweatband intervention leads to Asitha’s downfall in peculiar fashion

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

09/08/2024

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Cricket, in its history, has often been the center of many unprecedented events. It was yet another day when a rare sight was caught in play on the morning session of the third day in the Oval Test as Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando got dismissed due to a wrist band in his arm against England.

Aiming to build on a valiant sixth wicket partnership, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis failed to deliver against the English attack. With the overhead conditions assisting swing and pace, one-half of the Lankan batters fell early, with the final nail in the coffin coming due to an awkward scenario involving tailender Asitha.

Following a slog sweep earning him a boundary on the first ball of the 62nd over, Asitha intended to execute a reverse sweep. The loop in the ball helped Shoaib Bashir earn an adequate turn as it trickled the batter’s arm towards the wicketkeeper. The on-field umpire acknowledged the English appeal from around the stumps by raising his finger but the batter thought the ball hit his forearm. On going upstairs with a review, it was vivid that the white rock nicked the sweatband in touch with Asitha’s gloves as the Ultraedge spiked during the point of contact. This sat well with the MCC laws that refer to any ornament attached to the gloves will be considered in action for an outcome. The Twitterverse felt for Asitha who was unlucky to get dismissed in this fashion.

Unlucky Asitha

pic.twitter.com/LjsKH8bbTj
— Gill Bill (@bill_gill76078) September 8, 2024

Heavy lifting

Shoaib Bashir obviously doing the heavy lifting here, but it is really impressive how quickly these youngsters get results under Stokes & McCullum. pic.twitter.com/x7DuybYX7U
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) September 8, 2024

Good chance

I like this from @OPope32. Not only was Josh Hull beginning to tire, but no chance now for a five-fer, but also Shoaib Bashir hasn’t had a wicket and a good chance for him here.
— Ian Marshall (@IanPlayfair) September 8, 2024

Taste of own medicine

Hope you heard what Asitha Fernando said to Lahiru Kumara through the stump microphone after that bouncer from Stone. ‘We need to give him a taste of his own medicine.’ I have actually omitted one word. Can’t put that here.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) September 8, 2024

About holding grdges

Shoaib Bashir isn't one to hold grudges. Josh Hull strikes again. https://t.co/LgyG6wl5Wy
— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) September 8, 2024

Forgiving him

🏏 Shoaib Bashir catches De Silva off Josh Hull, clearly forgiving him for his spillage (same bat, on 23) yesterday. Good stuff 🙌
— Huw Turbervill (@huwzat) September 8, 2024

Good stuff

🏏 Shoaib Bashir catches De Silva off Josh Hull, clearly forgiving him for his spillage (same bat, on 23) yesterday. Good stuff 🙌
— Huw Turbervill (@huwzat) September 8, 2024

This trio is enough