New Zealand v Sri Lanka: DRS goof-up saves Martin Guptill, costs visitors dearly

Dhammika Prasad appealing for lbw

Opting to bat first in the 6th ODI of the 7-match bilateral series against Sri Lanka, at Dunedin, New Zealand were 10/1 in 3.2 overs, and, the very next ball, Martin Guptill was trapped plumb in front by an incoming delivery from pace bowler Dhammika Prasad. Umpire Derek Walker, however, chose to turn it down. What’s worse? The Lankans were denied the usage of the Decision Review System (DRS), which has been in place throughout the series including this match, for no fault of theirs.  

Prasad was desperate to get the decision reviewed; what he wasn’t aware of was that the DRS was unavailable from the end he was bowling, as one of the cameras were down. The incident left Prasad understandably bemused and sparked an angry reaction from Mahela Jayawardene, one of the team’s senior players, who was overheard saying ‘this is crap’ (watch the video below).

Guptill was later dismissed for a 43-ball 28 in the 14th over caught behind the wicket off the bowling of Thisara Perera. Incidentally, Walker had once again turned down the decision, only for it be overturned upon review. The Lankans were fortunate this time around, as for a review of a caught behind decision, the camera and ball projection software weren’t required; Hotspot and Snicko were adequate to confirm that the ball had taken the edge. 

New Zealand eventually won the match by 120 runs, and the series 4-1, after posting 315/8 on the board, thanks to Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who scored 97 and 96 respectively. The visitors were never in the game despite Kumar Sangakkara’s 66-ball 81, as wickets kept falling at the other end. All-rounder Corey Anderson picked up 4 wickets for the Kiwis.