At the Galle International Stadium on Friday, New Zealand thrashed Sri Lanka by 111 runs in the second game of their ongoing three-match series to tie the series. However, due to a mistake made by the match officials, Eden Carson of New Zealand ended up bowling 11 overs, which is one more than what is permitted for each bowler in an ODI per Apex Cricket Council rules.
After bowling the 45th over of Sri Lanka's innings, Carson has completed her 10-over quota for the match. She unexpectedly came back for additional six deliveries. Neither her teammates nor the on-field umpires knew she had completed her spell.
Eden Carson's final numbers of 2/41 included just a single run and no wickets from the "extra over." Since New Zealand were already almost certain to win at that point, it was fortunate for the authorities that the game did not drastically change after that over. As a result, the 21-year-old Carson became the first female New Zealand cricketer to bowl more than 10 overs in an ODI since 1993.
The series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is tied at 1-1 after two ODIs
Talking of the first ODI, Sri Lanka won the rain-shortened series opener by five wickets, recording their first win over New Zealand in history. During the chase, Sri Lanka displayed excellent batting, led by captain and opening batter Chamari Athapaththu, who scored a brilliant unbeaten century to lead her team to a nine-wicket victory.
However, the visitors came back in the second game, scoring 329/7 in 50 overs thanks to centuries from captain Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr. After New Zealand lost both openers in the first 10 overs, the pair joined forces. Before being split up, Devine and Kerr accumulated 229 runs for the third wicket. Devine hit 137 out of 121, while Kerr connected on 108 out of 106.
In response, Sri Lanka's batting collapsed as they lost half of their team for just 76 runs in just 13 overs. Before leaving, Kavisha Dilhari fought alone, making 84 out of 98 shots. Leah Tahuhu was the most effective bowler for New Zealand, taking four wickets overall. The final ODI that will decide the series will be played on 3 July at the same venue.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Umpires had one job and they failed 😹
— Bateman (@baldaati) July 1, 2023
Very poor captaincy by Rohit Sharma
— Mel (@MythicalMelmet1) July 1, 2023
Hamre gali cricket ke umpair bhi itne gawar nahi hote vo bhi kabhi. Nahi bhulte
— king (@manudada111) July 1, 2023
Women☕ cricket
— harsh♥️🇮🇳 (@HARSH99OP) July 1, 2023
If MSD did this with Theekshana in IPL. It would’ve been called a Masterstroke
— Rosech Sarabhai (@rosech_sarabhai) July 1, 2023
umpires hatao camera laga do unki jagah achi quality k aur 3rd umpire k panel m 3 log betha do sab shi hoga
— Dhruv (@DhruvsBoss) July 1, 2023
Umpire in that match pic.twitter.com/3eIEliCd5F
— GOD (@BOWDOWNTOTHEGOD) July 1, 2023
Eden after finishing her 10 over quota pic.twitter.com/uA4ysAfzpZ
— The Taller Feller (@dalutapiwa) July 1, 2023