The Black Caps were involved in yet another thrilling finish in their T20 match against Sri Lanka this morning – this time, ending up on the right side of the result thanks to some truly bizarre scenes.
With four balls remaining, and seven runs required, Mitchell Santner hit Sri Lankanspinner Wanindu Hasaranga to the wide long-on boundary.
Racing around from long-on, Shehan Jayasuriya claimed a superb running catch, only to collide with teammate Kusal Mendis, who was sprinting across from mid-wicket.
The pair painfully clashed knees – sending Jayasuriya into the boundary rope, still clutching the ball.
As both lay prone on the ground, the umpires – just as baffled as everyone else – initially signaled four, before correctly reversing their decision to make it a six, as Jayasuriya hadn't released the ball before sprawling into the rope.
"It was sort of heart in the mouth stuff," Bruce told Radio Sport Breakfast. "The boys saw that the ball was going up and just the trajectory it looked like it was going to fall ... and unfortunately those two boys collided and fortunately for us it was deemed a six. It's the way it goes. Could've easily gone the other way."
Drama in the deep! A great catch from Jayasuriya but he collides with his team mate and goes over the boundary. Santner awarded SIX 🏏 Receiving medical attention now, hopefully all ok. #SLvsNZpic.twitter.com/TJZaUcfczu
New-Zealand was hard done in the finals of CWC '19,that is why on the request of @daniel86cricket SL are donating the victory to Boost their morale.What a Champion you are Daniel 💪 #SLvNZ
Wow ... another close thrilling game #SLvNZ Congratulations @BLACKCAPS having answers whenever under pressure but for @OfficialSLC just lacking the finer points .. Good fun though .. kept us interested all the way !!!
New Zealand win the series! But the celebrations have been entirely subdued after an injury to Martin Guptill & the sickening collision between Shehan & Mendis in the final over.
The @BLACKCAPS win by attrition... and four wickets.
Make that 1 from 3! The ruling has been changed from four to six. Horrific turn of events for Sri Lanka as Shehan and Mendis have both left the field in pain.
