Chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday said he had no grouse with a controversial run out that marred the decisive fifth and final one-day international between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.
Sri Lanka off spinner Sachithra Senanayake ran out England’s Jos Buttler as the non-striker backed up at Edgbaston on Tuesday, as Angelo Mathews’ team clinched the five-match series 3-2 with a six wicket win for only their second series triumph on English soil since 2006.
It was only the eighth reported instance of a batsman being run out backing up in an international match and the first since South Africa’s Peter Kirsten was dismissed by India’s Kapil Dev in 1992/93.
Even though ‘Mankading’, the term coined after India’s Vinoo Mankad ran out Australia non-striker Bill Brown during the 1947/48 Sydney Test, remains a legitimate dismissal, some regard it as against the ‘spirit of cricket’.
However, Jayasuriya speaking to Ceylon Today opined that the off spinner, who was reported after Sri Lanka’s ODI win at Lord’s for a suspect action, was justified in effecting the run out having warned the England stumper twice in his previous over.
“Sachithra (Senanayake) gave him two warnings in his previous over,” said Jayasuriya.
“But, the England batsman (Buttler) did not heed those warnings. And it was pretty obvious that he was backing up too far and what Sri Lanka did at the time was well within the rules after having even informed the umpires as well.”
Asked whether any ill feeling generated by the controversial run out could seep into the two-match Test series between the teams next week, the former Sri Lanka captain was certain that no consequences will be felt by both sides.
“I think the Test series will be keenly fought-out and in the spirit with which it is to be played,” pointed out the selection panel chief.
“I don’t think for a moment that the Edgbaston incident will have any adverse effect on the team’s overall performance in the two Test series.”
Jayasuriya though, was keen on highlighting the significance of the 3-2 series win Sri Lanka achieved in England – their first in eight years rather than dwell on the run out row emanating from the Birmingham decider.
“People must understand how tough it is to go to England in May-June and win an ODI series in their conditions and that is a no mean feat in my book.
“In the midst of such incidents, the significance of the overall triumph tends to be overlooked or lost on even by the media and that should not be the case.”
England face Sri Lanka in the first of two Tests commencing at Lord’s on June 12 before the short series concludes with the final Test due to start at Leeds on June 20.
