Dean Jones claims Sri Lanka knew about the consequences of batting first today

After rain interrupted play today in the fourth game of five-match One-day Series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at Hambantota, many questioned the laws prevalent in cricket if the play is intervened due to rain. However, Dean Jones believed that Sri Lanka, after winning the toss, opted to bat first even after knowing about the weather forecast.

Batting first, Sri-Lanka faired pretty well with the bat as they put up a hefty total of 300 runs on the board with the loss of 6 wickets. A well composed hundred by Niroshan Dickwella was the heart of the Sri Lankan inning which was well supported by an 87 run knock by Danushka Gunathilaka. Skipper Angelo Mathews chipped in with 42 runs which were crucial in the team’s total.

Coming on to chase the target Zimbabwe got of to a good start but their session was interrupted by rain. The score stood still at 135/3 in 20 overs when the players had to rush back to the dressing room. Sri Lanka was 15 runs behind at the same stage but without the loss of any wicket.

Sri Lankan writer Daniel Alexander took the opportunity to state that as the pitch is slowing down and the D/L method will be unfair to the team batting first. His tweet read “Sri Lanka 122/0 and Zimbabwe 135/3 after 20 overs.this pitch is slowing down & scoring will become harder. D/L is unfair to team batting 1st”.

Replying to Alexander’s tweet on Twitter, Dean Jones claimed that the Sri Lankans were aware of the weather conditions and the chances of rainfall. According to the active commentator, they should have taken a call carefully after winning the toss. His reply read “SL Won the toss and knew of weather forecast? No?”

However, Zimbabwe did win the match, chasing a target of 219 runs as proposed by the D/L method. The match was reduced to 31 overs due to rain, but the men in red achieved the target in 29.2 overs.

Sri Lanka 122/0 and Zimbabwe 135/3 after 20 overs.this pitch is slowing down & scoring will become harder. D/L is unfair to team batting 1st

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) July 8, 2017

SL Won the toss and knew of weather forecast? No? https://t.co/c0cvZJU0Cs

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) July 8, 2017