Lakshan Sandakan makes a hilarious schoolboy error; Steve Smith laughs out loud

Australia and Sri Lanka locked horns in the second T20I at The Gabba on Wednesday. The visitors were in a must-win situation after losing the series opener but their batsmen couldn’t put up a fighting total on the board after opting to bat first. It was a straightforward chase for the Aussies gunning down the 118-run target. However, when things were looking pale, a hilarious incident took place with Lakshan Sandakan involved which left everyone in splits.

During the chase, the hosts lost an important wicket of Aaron Finch in the first over of the innings. After that, a well-knitted partnership between David Warner and Steve Smith of 117 runs helped Australia win the match and seal the three-match series. Warner grabbed his second consecutive Man of the Match award this time for his unbeaten 60 off just 41 deliveries. Smith, on the other hand, remained not-out on 53.

Lakshan Sandakan commits a schoolboy error against Australia

The hilarious incident happened in the 13th over of Australia‘s innings when Lakshan Sandakan was bowling. David Warner was the batsman on the strike, who played the second delivery of the over straight back to the bowler which went on to hit the stumps.

Meanwhile, Smith ran in order to complete a single, but Warner denied it. The Sri Lankan bowler collected the ball and instead of dislodging the stumps with the ball in his hand, he uprooted it with one hand and the ball in the other and appealed for a run-out.

But according to the rule, when the bails are already dislodged, the fielding side has to uproot the stumps with the ball in the hand. Sandakan committed a schoolboy error in this case and missed a chance to run Smith out. Even the batsman was also left laughing after the incident along with the bowler. The on-field umpires though were not sure and took the case to the third umpire who eventually declared Smith not-out.

The Sri Lankan bowlers looked pale in their efforts against Aussie batsmen with not much to defend. Lasith Malinga was the only wicket-taker for them who dismissed Finch for a golden duck. The final T20I of the series will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 1st of November.

Here is the video:

Sandakan had a golden opportunity to run out Smith! #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/E7AsOwEjSJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 30, 2019