[Watch] Wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis runs out non-striker after a wide delivery in ENG vs SL 2023 World Cup match
Sri Lankan captain and wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis's presence of mind on the field resulted in a run-out dismissal during the 2023 World Cup match against England on Thursday (October 26) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The incident transpired during the 32nd over of the first innings when Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana was bowling to David Willey with Adil Rashid at the non-striker's end.
On the final ball of the over, Theekshana bowled a wide down the leg side. Keeper Kusal Mendis collected it cleanly and then hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw, noticing that Adil Rashid was out of the crease. The third umpire then checked the replays and declared Rashid out.
You can watch the Kusal Mendis' effort in the video below:
Kusal Mendis-led Sri Lanka team bundled out England cheaply for 156
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat first in the contest on Thursday. Jonny Bairstow (30) and Dawid Malan (28) put on 45 runs for the 1st wicket and gave their side a decent start.
However, both failed to convert their starts and departed in quick succession. Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone followed them to the pavilion soon after as England collapsed to 85/5 in 17 overs.
Ben Stokes (43) and Moeen Ali (15) stopped the flow of wickets for a while with a mini partnership of 37. Angelo Mathews (2/14) broke the stand in the 25th over and opened the floodgates again. England then lost their next 4 wickets quickly and all out for 156 in 33.2 overs.
Speaking at mid-innings break, veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews said:
"The wicket was on the slower side, but the boys landed them in the right areas and executed it well. It was a brilliant performance with the ball. I challenged myself over the last one and a half month, started bowling as well and everything is possible, I backed myself."
He added:
The preparation was all indoors, but it was all about keeping myself mentally ready for it. England are a strong side, balanced side and we've done well so far and only half the job is done, we need to finish it off. Just need to ensure we need to bat well and knock these runs off by staying positive."