World Cup 2019: ‘We have to address the issue of...’: Harsha Bhogle observes as Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne gets a lifeline in their first match against New Zealand

The runners-up of the 2015 edition New Zealand and former champions Sri Lanka will be looking to start their campaign off to a winning start in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. New Zealand head into this contest on the back of a win against India and a loss against West Indies in their warm-up games while Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have lost both their warm-up games against South Africa and the reigning World Champions Australia.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bowl first. It was a good decision as Matt Henry picked up the wicket of Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Thirimanne to put them on the back foot early on. Kusal Perera and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne then tried to resurrect the Kiwi innings with a 42-run second wicket stand. However, Henry had other ideas as he dismissed Perera and then Kusal Mendis to put the Lankans in a spot of bother.

Before Henry picked up two wickets off his successive deliveries, there was a unique standout moment which took place as Sri Lankan skipper Karunaratne had his fair share of luck.

It happened in the sixth over of Sri Lanka's innings which was bowled by Trent Boult. On the fourth delivery, Boult bowled a delivery on the line of off stump as the Lankan captain tried to work the ball down to the third man. The ball took the inside edge and hit the stumps. Surprisingly, neither the timber was disturbed nor were the bails dislodged. New Zealand's Martin Guptill was seen smiling while Ross Taylor seemed to figure out what had just happened.

Commentator Harsha Bhogle reacted to the dismissal, "It is happening way too often now. We have to address the issue of the ball hitting the stumps but the bails staying put."

The skipper carried his bat through as Sri Lanka was dismissed for 136 in their first innings.