Sri Lanka have issued a warning to Australia’s women as they seek to find an advantage, any advantage, over their number one-ranked rivals; if the non-striker prematurely steps out of their crease, be prepared to be run out.
On multiple occasions across the three T20Is and one ODI in the ongoing Commonwealth Bank limited-overs series, Sri Lankan bowlers have threatened to affect a contentious ‘Mankad’ dismissal.
On Saturday, Sri Lanka ODI captain Sashikala Siriwardena revealed her team actually practiced the divisive ploy at training.
While they have yet to put it to use against Meg Lanning’s all-conquering side, which notched their 16th consecutive ODI victory on Saturday, Siriwardena said the hosts better be aware.
“Considering the new rules and regulations, the batters have to stay in the crease until the ball is released,” Siriwardena explained after her team’s 157-run defeat in Brisbane.
“We do it in training also, it might help us to get some run-outs also because they (non-strikers) have to stay there (in their crease for longer).
“So it’s a tactical move.”
That move may well have already paid off.
On Saturday, off-spinner Siriwardena issued a warning to Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry for leaving her crease before she had released the ball.
Perry not long after was then run out for 19, caught short when called through for an ill-advised single by striker Beth Mooney.
During the first T20I in Sydney last week, veteran medium-pacer Udeshika Prabodani pulled out of her delivery stride on numerous occasions.
She appeared initially to be reacting to striker Mooney shaping for a reverse sweep, but on each occasion the bowler turned around and feigned throwing the ball back towards the stumps at non-striker Ashleigh Gardner’s end.
In the third T20I, Australia opener Alyssa Healy twice found herself on warning while backing up, again from Prabodani.
Australia captain Lanning said while she was unsure whether Sri Lanka would be prepared to take the extra step of actually executing a Mankad dismissal, her batters were wary.
“We’ve spoken about it, making sure we’re staying in our crease and watching the ball out of the bowlers hand,” Lanning said.
“That’s what we can control in the situation.
“I didn’t think any of our players were intending to leave the crease early, but it’s something we’ve got to be aware of.
“She hasn’t thrown it each time so I’m not sure if it’s something she’s thinking about doing or if it’s just a reflex action.
“I think initially in the first T20 it was more in response to people going for a paddle and things like that.
“It’s part of the game, we haven’t spoken a lot about it, we’ve spoken about what we can control and making sure we stay in our crease until the ball’s let go.”
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