Credit: ICC
In a massive development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with the one-ball rule. Until the last month, two balls were used from both ends but the cricket’s apex body has mandated the utilisation of only one ball from the 34th over onwards has come into effect. The latest reform was implemented during the first One-Day Internationals (ODI) played between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 2 and the same will be practiced from here onwards. The new rule will keep the contest balanced between bat and ball equal as the latest rule will allow the use of two new balls but until the initial 34 overs of the innings.
From the 35th over, one of the two balls will be opted by the bowling team to use for the remainder of the innings. In the contest between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, when the latter’s pacer Najmul Hossain Shanto completed the 34th over, the Bangla skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz was given the option to choose one of the two balls to complete the remaining overs in the innings.
Sri Lanka hammered Bangladesh in the first ODI
In the first ODI, Sri Lanka thrashed Bangladesh by a convincing margin of 77 runs. Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka elected to bat first. Riding on their captain’s 106-run knock, the hosts posted a total of 244 runs in 49.2 overs.
Pursuing the target, Bangladesh batters got trapped in Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Wanindu Hasaranga, allying with Kamindu Mendis, hunted down seven Bangladesh batters. Maheesh Theekshana also assisted both spinners and chipped in with one wicket. The visitors eventually capitulated to a score of 167 in 35.2 overs. In the three-match 50-over series, Sri Lanka has taken a 1-0 lead and they will next take on Bangladesh again on July 5.
