Sri Lanka registered a dominating win over Australia in the 3rd ODI of the ongoing series on Sunday in Colombo after Pathum Nissanka scored a match-winning century helping them take a 2-1 lead in the series. While the match had plenty of historic moments, including Nissanka surpassing the old-time record of Sanath Jayasuriya’s record of scoring the highest runs against Australia as a Sri Lankan batsman, things turned on a lighter note when umpire Kumar Dharmasena instinctively went for a catch during the game.
Cricket Australia tweeted a picture of Kumar Dharmasena, which is now breaking the internet, that shows him almost completing a catch as the ball came in his direction. The Sri Lankan umpire stood at square leg when one of the Australian batters hit the ball in his position, although Dharmasena eventually decided to let the ball pass him by.
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Here is the video of the hilarious incident:
Catch! Umpire Kumar Dharmasena looks like he wants to get into the action…
Thankfully he didn't #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/M4mA1GuDW8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 19, 2022
Taking about the 3rd ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia, the visiting team won the toss and chose to bat first, after which they scored 291/6 in their quota of 50 overs, with Travis Head leading the way with an unbeaten knock of 70 runs in just 65 balls. Aaron Finch scored 62 off 85, while Alex Carey hit 49 off 52 deliveries.
For Sri Lanka, Jefferey Vandersay picked up three wickets in his 10-over spell, as he gave away 49 runs. In reply, the Lankans got off to a brilliant start despite losing opener Niroshan Dickwella early.
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Nissanka combined with Kusal Mendis to devastating effect as the duo took Australia’s bowlers to the cleaners. Nissanka scored a century, while Mendis was retired hurt after scoring 87 off 85 balls. Dhanajaya de Silva put the finishing touches as Sri Lanka reached the required target with 9 balls to spare.
Here is how the fans reacted:
He saw his moment, he took it
— Specsavers (@Specsavers) June 19, 2022
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) June 19, 2022
He timely remembered that he is NOT an SL player anymore… 😄
— Akhil 🇮🇳 (@akhil_131) June 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/NusandNas/status/1538502475170295808?s=20&t=VO1suo3JbyOgIuWBvFS9QA
Luckily he remembered last second his job is not to catch it 🙈🤣 https://t.co/67LkaOUiJy
— Rach🐯 (@rhoftonphoto) June 19, 2022
and the batsman had his heart in his mouth for a moment!
— Rural Maxwell (@gbenhur) June 19, 2022