‘I don’t understand’: Sri Lanka’s Chamika Karunaratne saved by ‘flat battery’ against New Zealand

Sri Lanka’s Chamika Karunaratne was gifted a reprieve in bizarre scenes during the first ODI against New Zealand on Saturday, with faulty zing bails coming to his rescue.

After being set a 275-run target for victory at Eden Park, Sri Lanka crumbled to 8-57 in the 17th over, with veteran all-rounder Angelo Matthews top-scoring for the tourists with 18 (25).

In the 18th over of the run chase, Karunaratne clipped a length delivery from Black Caps seamer Blair Tickner towards mid-wicket, scampering through for a run – but the right-hander was sent back by partner Lahiru Kumara after looking for a second.

Karunaratne desperately lunged to make his ground, but Tickner whipped off the bails to complete the run out, with replays confirming the Sri Lankan was inches short of making his ground.

However, third umpire Chris Brown was forced to hand down a not out verdict because the zing bails were delayed due to a flat battery.

Karunaratne, who had already started trudging towards the sheds, sheepishly returned to the middle as the Black Caps protested the decision with on-field officials.

“Amazing what a flat battery will cost you,” former New Zealand cricketer Craig McMillan said in commentary.

“There was separation between bail and stump there.

“He was walking off, he knew he was out.

“I don’t understand that decision … the bails malfunctioned.

“That is out, any which way you look at it.

“Lights on, lights off – that is out. That is the wrong decision.

“We laughed about a flat battery, it’s cost New Zealand a run out.”

The run out drama merely delayed the inevitable, with Sri Lanka rolled for 76 as New Zealand secured a comprehensive 198-run victory in the series opener.

After Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first in Auckland, New Zealand was bowled out for 274 in 49.3 overs, with Black Caps opener Finn Allen scoring 51 (49) before becoming the second of Karunaratne’s four victims.

Karunaratne finished with 4-43 from nine overs, while Sri Lankan seamers Kasun Rajitha and Kumara each snared two wickets.

In response, Black Caps paceman Henry Shipley claimed career-best figures of 5-31 as Sri Lanka was bowled out for its lowest total against New Zealand in ODI history.

“Especially with the bat, we need to tighten up the techniques,” Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka said after the defeat.

“The way Shipley bowled, the movement he got and the bounce, I think all sorts of things happened tonight.

“Credit should be given to Shipley, it’s outstanding bowling.”

The second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka gets underway at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Tuesday, with the first ball scheduled for 12pm AEDT.