NORTHAMPTON: Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne insisted the tourists would have no qualms about running out an England batsman backing up too far during their upcoming Test series, despite the furore over Jos Buttler’s dismissal at Edgbaston.
Sachithra Senanayake ran out England’s Buttler as the non-striker, who only days earlier had made a blistering hundred at Lord’s, for 21 during Sri Lanka’s 3-2 series-clinching victory in the fifth and final one-day international at Edgbaston.
Although a perfectly legal dismissal, the exit of Buttler sparked a global debate about whether it was within the ‘spirit of cricket’ -- even though the bowler had previously warned the batsman.
“We actually warned him twice, he was taking starts after we warned him so I think that’s the rule of the game,” Sri Lanka vice-captain Thirimanne told reporters.
“After the first time he has to learn, if he’s doing two or three times you can’t help it,” Thirimanne added.
Asked if they’d be prepared to dismiss a batsman in such a manner during the two-Test series against England, which starts at Lord’s Thirimanne replied: “Yes, if he’s taking unfair starts, we’ll warn him, warn twice and after that...”
Asked if the incident involving Buttler, not included in England’s 12-man squad for Lord’s announced Thursday, could lead to ill-feeling in the Test series, Thirimanne replied:
“England, in the one-day tournament came at us really hard, I don’t think they’ll come at us much harder (in the Tests).
“We’ll expect some good cricket and we’re looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced yesterday the schedule for England’s one-day tour of Sri Lanka in November and December.
England will play seven one-day internationals against Sri Lanka as both sides prepare for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
This week the teams completed a one-day series in England which Sri Lanka won 3-2.
England and Sri Lanka begin a two-Test series at Lord’s next week. THe series will start with the first ODI to be staged on November 26 in Colombo.
AFP
