During the Women’s Premier League 2024 (WPL 2024) match, Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy was left astounded when Sri Lankan cricketer Chamari Athapaththu was adjudged out lbw after a contentious decision.
The incident occurred during a match between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars. In the final over of the match, Athapaththu was at the crease with the Stars needing four runs to win. Healy, who was keeping wickets for the Sixers, appealed for a leg-before-wicket (lbw) decision after a delivery from Sixers’ bowler Ellyse Perry.
The on-field umpire initially ruled Athapaththu not out, but the decision was overturned after the Sixers’ captain, Perry, requested a review. The third umpire, after reviewing the footage, determined that the ball would have hit the stumps, and Athapaththu was given out lbw.
The decision was met with disbelief and frustration by Athapaththu, who protested the decision and argued that she had hit the ball with her bat before it hit her pad. However, the third umpire upheld the decision, and Athapaththu had to leave the field.
The incident sparked a debate on social media, with many fans and experts expressing their opinions on the controversial decision. Some argued that the third umpire had made the correct decision based on the evidence, while others criticized the decision and called for changes to the review system.
The controversy overshadowed what had been an exciting and closely contested match between the Sixers and the Stars. The Stars eventually won the match by two runs, but the decision to give Athapaththu out lbw remained a talking point long after the match had ended.
The incident also highlighted the importance of the review system in cricket and the need for clear and consistent guidelines for umpires and players. The decision to give Athapaththu out lbw was ultimately upheld, but it raised questions about the fairness and accuracy of the review system.
The contentious LBW call during the WPL 2024 game between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars ignited conversation and analysis among fans and pundits. The incident highlighted the importance of the review system in cricket and the need for clear and consistent guidelines for umpires and players.
