[Watch] Jonny Bairstow gets a reprieve first ball as Sri Lanka fail to review LBW decision in 2023 World Cup clash
England opener Jonny Bairstow escaped a disastrous first-ball duck after being trapped in front to start the all-important clash against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Both teams entered the game in a dire situation with a lone win in four games, putting them in virtual must-wins for the remainder of the World Cup. Winning the toss and batting first, Bairstow was pinned by an excellent inswinging yorker from Dilshan Madushanka. The ball appeared to hit the pad and bat simultaneously and went past the bowler.
While the batters ran three, skipper Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Madushanka were pondering sending it upstairs for a review. However, they decided against it at the last second, only to see the replays reveal that it was pad first and the ball tracking showing three reds.
Here is the video of the turn of events with the delivery and the following ball tracker:
Unfortunately, Jonny Bairstow could not capitalize much as he was dismissed for 30 off 31 balls to continue his poor run in the World Cup. The 34-year-old has scored only 127 runs in five games at a paltry average of 25.40 with the solitary half-century.
England in disarray with the bat against Sri Lanka
Following a solid start of 45/0 in the seventh over, England suffered a horrendous collapse on the back of an inspired bowling performance by the Sri Lankan pacers.
Comeback man Angelo Matthews started the procession with the wicket of Dawid Malan for 28. Star batter Joe Root followed immediately as he was unfortunately run out for three of 10 balls to leave England 57/2 in the 10th over.
Things fell apart completely when the duo of Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara removed Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone in a four-over span. At that stage, the defending champions were teetering at an embarrassing 85/5 in 17 overs.
Coming off the humiliation of their heaviest World Cup defeat by 229 runs to South Africa, England are starring down the barrel in a third consecutive game, including a shocking loss to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka finally won their first game of the competition against the Netherlands following three straight games to open their campaign.
With the ship sinking, all-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali are in the middle of a recovery, with a partnership of 31 from 36 balls to take England past three figures to 116/5 in 23 overs.