Watch: The biggest wide of the New Zealand-Sri Lanka series

A 24-over match had begun between New Zealand and Sri Lanka after an initial three-hour-and-forty-minute rain delay in the 4th ODI of the series, but the teams could only get through nine overs before bad weather returned to wash out play in Nelson. The home side had moved to 75 for 3 in that time, with Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor playing attacking little knocks. Though, the match failed to produce a result, it sure did produce the biggest wide bowled in the New Zealand-Sri Lanka series from either of the teams.

Left-arm spinner and hard hitting batsman Milinda Siriwardana bowled the 8th over of the innings. He was up against the left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls. Bowling round the wicket it seemed he was attempting to dart one in however the ball completely slipped out of the hands, bounced a couple of times and landed on the adjacent pitch. The shocking delivery even confused the umpire Billy Bowden who called it a no ball before changing the decision to wide.

As per the laws of the game, the umpire shall call and signal no ball if a ball either bounces more than twice or rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease. In this case, the ball had bounced just twice however it landed way outside the playing surface. Even the commentators seemed lost for words upon seeing this bizarre piece of blowing. Ultimately the correct call was made by the umpire as per the laws. With rain playing spoilsport, the series remained 2-1 to New Zealand with one match to play. The two teams will move to Mt. Maunganui for that encounter, scheduled for 5th of January.

Watch: The biggest wide of the New Zealand-Sri Lanka series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_0_uLj5DvU

https://www.instagram.com/p/BACNhIcEine/

Watch: Martin Guptill’s ballistic 30-ball 93