The incident unfolded in the 13th over of the Australia innings when a straight drive from David Warner off Lakshan Sandakan hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end after passing the bowler. Steve Smith, at the non-striker’s end, took off for a run, only to realise pretty late that the ball had ricocheted off the stumps back at Sandakan, the bowler.

Smith was half way down the track and could not have returned in time, but Sandakan, who calmly collected the ball to rush towards the stumps forgot that he had to use the hand holding the ball to uproot the stumps with the bails already dislodged.

Holding the ball in his left hand, Sandakan uprooted the stump with his right and seemed oblivious of his error until Smith, sliding in at the non-striker’s crease laughed out loud while pointing out the Sri Lankan’s error.

According to MCC law 29.1.1.5, “The wicket is put down if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or a stump is struck out of the ground, by a fielder with his/her hand or arm, providing that the ball is held in the hand or hands so used, or in the hand of the arm so used.”

Watch the incident here:

Sandakan had a golden opportunity to run out Smith! #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/E7AsOwEjSJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 30, 2019