Sky Sports Cricket statistician Benedict Bermange yesterday posted a clip of an incident, where commentator’s curse struck Sanath Jayasuriya, and Ian Botham, in dramatic fashion in an ODI against England in 2006.
Incident occurred in the fifth over of the fourth ODI played between Sri Lanka and England at Old Trafford in 2006.
At number 7 in my alternative Top 10 Sky Sports Cricket moments, @beefybotham just doesn't understand what's going on out there! pic.twitter.com/irxE5eO2x1
— Benedict Bermange (@Benedict_B) June 9, 2020
Stephen Harmison was bowling to Sanath Jayasuriya, and Ian Botham, on commentary, called into question the field set by England captain Andrew Strauss.
“Well I think the field is absolutely, completely wrong, They’ve changed the field, they’ve brought fine leg up, they’ve put a man out for a short wide long-hop. What is going on?”
Soon after he said that, Jayasuriya carved a wide ball from Harmison straight down the throat of a fielder, placed wide in front of square of the offside.
“There he is, the man out there for the short wide long-hop, and he gets it! Well done, Ian Botham!,” said co-commentator Nasser Hussain.
“Well there you go, the curse of the commentator,” replied Botham. “What is he doing out there? That’s what he’s doing, Nass. We’re going to bowl him a wide half-volley and he’s going to slap it straight to him, and he’s not gonna move.”
Despite Jayasuriya’s wicket Sri Lanka won the match and the series 5-0.