What’s in your pocket, suspicious umpire Mick Martell asks Lasith Malinga

Umpire Mick Martell momentarily stopped the first T20 between Australia and Sri Lanka during the 17th over of the Australian innings. Martell enquired with Malinga, who was making a comeback to international cricket after a year due to injury break, what was in his pocket when the latter repeatedly put his hands in the pocket just before each delivery.

It was a cold night at the MCG and Malinga was quick to show umpire Martell the white hand warmer in his pocket, which the umpire promptly deemed legal. Former Aussie Captain Michael “Pup” Clarke, part of the commentary team, termed it Malinga’s habit, having played against him.

The umpire was very much within his rights to raise suspicion about Malinga’s ‘hand-in-pockets’ after each ball, as ball tampering using various methods has been witnessed in the cricketing fields ranging from Vaseline row, jellybean row, using bottle cap, sandpaper et al to roughen up the ball at various points of time.

The MCG with attendance in excess of 42,000 witnessed a brilliant game of cricket, having seen as many as four debutants on the T20 circuit on the night. Michael Klinger became the oldest Australian to debut for Aussies in T20 at 36. Sri Lankan sent Aussies to bat after the winning the toss. However, the captain Upul Tharanga had a rough night, when he dropped a straightforward chance of Travis Head early in the innings.

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Aaron Finch top-scored with 43 on a night he completed 1000 T20 international runs. Australia scored 168, following an admirable comeback by Malinga and a good spell from Seekkuge Prasanna.

Adam Zampa impressed yet again and bowled tight lines. Asela Gunaratne top scored with 52 off 37 deliveries. Sri Lankans were cruising at 151/3 in the 18th over when debutant Ashton Turner snared two quick wickets. However, requiring 6 runs in the last over bowled by Ashton Tye, Chamara Kapugedara held his nerves and inched closer via singles and jubilantly took off after driving Tye through the covers off the last ball for a thrilling finish.

Watch the video here:

Lasith Malinga was asked to show his pockets during the first T20I. #AUSvSL

(Video – Channel 9) pic.twitter.com/90SK2mabEg

— Khurram Siddiquee (@imKhurram12) February 18, 2017