The incident unfolded at the stroke of the 15th over during Sri Lanka's chase of 356, with the visitors at 77-3. Charith Asalanka guided a Liam Dawson delivery towards short third and took off for a single. Jofra Archer was quick on the ball and followed it up with a powerful direct-hit, while Rathnayake, batting on 18, fell a long way short at the batter's end.
Leg-umpire Rob White quickly raised his finger before consulting TV umpire Adrian Holdstock, but the decision was ultimately send upstairs. Replays showed that Cox had dislodged the bails with his gloves even before the ball hit the stumps, and soon 'not out' flashed on the big screen.
However, upon further assessment, Holdstock came to the conclusion that Archer's throw had completely uprooted the stumps, the decision was once again overturned and Rathnayake had to walk back.
What do the laws say?Clause 29.2.1.1 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, which deals with whether the wicket was broken fairly, states: “The wicket is broken fairly if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or a stump is struck out of the ground by the ball.” Additionally, clause 29.2.1.6 further adds, “The wicket is also broken fairly if a fielder strikes or pulls a stump out of the ground.”
Hence, Rathnayake eventually had to walk back because Archer’s throw uprooted the stump, even though Cox’s gloves had dislodged the bails first. Sri Lanka went from 77-3 to 82-6 in a span of nine deliveries, which derailed their chase.
The three-match ODI series decider saw England put up 355-7 on the back of Tom Banton’s prolific 102-ball 126, coupled with 77 and 76 from skipper Harry Brook and Cox, respectively. Dawson picked up three for 26 in his eight overs as the hosts bundled Sri Lanka out for 132, claiming a 223-run victory to clinch the series 2-1.
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