Australian opener David Warner was left fuming after the umpire’s call led to his dismissal against Sri Lanka at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on October 16. Much like Steve Smith’s dismissal against South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada in the previous clash, the ball seemed to be going down the leg side but umpire Joel Wilson raised his finger and the decision stood even after Warner reviewed.
The dismissal took place in the fourth over. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka bowled a delivery that nipped back and hit Warner on the knee. Madushanka appealed and umpire Wilson did not hesitate to adjudge him out. The Australian opener went for the review straightaway.
After the third umpire Chris Brown was satisfied that there was no bat involved, the ball tracking showed that the ball would have just clipped the leg stump. As soon as Warner saw it on the big screen he was left shocked. He hit his bat on the ground and walked back to the dressing room reluctantly while cussing. In the dressing room, he threw his bat as well in anger.
The left-handed batter was dismissed for a six-ball 11. In the first over, he had hit Lahiru Kumara for a six over backward square leg. After Warner's wicket, Smith got out lbw as well. Madushanka bowled a double-wicket maiden to push Australia on the back foot in the run chase of 210.
However, Warner's opening partner Mitchell Marsh returned to form and scored a half-century. Josh Inglis' half-century and finishing touches from Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis saw Australia get over the line with five wickets in hand and 14.4 overs to spare.
This was Australia’s first win of World Cup 2023. The big win helped them rise from the bottom of the points table to eighth spot. Earlier, Adam Zampa returned to form as well to take a four-fer. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were clinical too with two wickets each to bowl out Sri Lanka for 209 in the 44th over.
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