One of the most unusual dismissals in women’s cricket, the West Indies legend deandra dotin Given out for obstructing the field during the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday, the decision proved crucial as the visitors won. three match series With a tense 14-run victory at the National Cricket Stadium, St. George’s, Grenada.
Umpires declared Deandra Dottin ‘out’ for obstructing fielding.
The controversial moment occurred in West Indies’ 30th over, when the hosts needed 94 runs to win. Facing Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, Dottin attempted to sweep but missed a ball which slid down the leg side and was ruled wide. The ball hit the pads of wicketkeeper Kaushini Nuthyangana and returned back towards the batsman.
In a moment of apparent spontaneity, Dottin threw the ball away from his bat before catching it with one hand. The Sri Lankan fielders immediately appealed, believing that Dottin had deliberately handled the ball to prevent him from attempting a run-out or catch. After consultation between umpires Candace LaBorde and Vrinda Rathi, the decision was sent up, and Dottin was given out for obstructing the field after scoring 13 runs from 15 balls.
What does the rule say?
According to Law 37 of cricket (Obstructing the field), if a batsman deliberately attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action, he is considered out. Umpires must determine whether the batsman’s action was intentional or accidental.
In Dottin’s case, match officials concluded that his actions – tapping the ball and holding it – were a deliberate attempt to interfere with play, rather than an instinctive reaction to protect himself.
Sri Lanka defend another modest score against West Indies
After the dismissal, West Indies’ score became 116 runs for 6 wickets, which made chasing the target already difficult. First, Sri Lankan team was out for 208 runs in 47.1 overs. Won the toss and decided to bat first.
Vismi Gunaratne opened the Sri Lankan innings with 58 runs from 66 balls, his innings included five fours. Captain Chamari Athapaththu contributed 32 runs, while Harshitha Samarawickrama added 35 runs, taking the visitors to an impressive score of 166 for 4 in the 36th over.
However, the West Indies bowlers struggled impressively, with Karishma Ramharrack taking 3 for 26 and Hayley Matthews taking 2 for 44 as Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for just 42 runs.
In reply, West Indies’ top order was once again seen struggling against Sri Lanka’s disciplined spin attack. Mathews was out for 13 and Kianna Joseph was out for 16, leaving the hosts at 30 for 2. Shamyn Campbell (30) and Stafanie Taylor (27) attempted to rebuild, but both lost to spinner Inoka Ranaweera.
Following Dottin’s controversial dismissal, 20-year-old Genelia Glasgow scored her second consecutive half-century in the series, scoring 50 off 69 balls. She received brief support from Shaunisha Hector (11) and then stitched a crucial 45-run partnership with Afi Fletcher (20) for the ninth wicket, taking West Indies closer to victory.
When 18 runs were needed from 22 balls, Fletcher was lost trying to beat Ranaweera, with the substitute fielder taking a brilliant catch. Glasgow continued to fight but were eventually caught by Kavisha Dilhari at cover on the last ball of the 48th over. As the Sri Lankan fielders celebrated their victory, the young batsman was bent over in disappointment, holding her bat.
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The win gives Sri Lanka an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, their second consecutive bilateral ODI series win over the West Indies. The host team had broken the streak of four consecutive series defeats against Sri Lanka till 2024, but now once again it finds itself lagging behind.
The first ODI ended similarly, with Sri Lanka defending 240 and winning by just 10 runs, when Enoka Ranaweera’s 4 for 44 collapsed the West Indies’ target.
The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Wednesday, with West Indies looking for a consolation win before both teams turn their attention to the T20 series.
Also read: Inoka Ranaweera leads Sri Lanka to thrilling win over West Indies in first Women’s ODI
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.