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Isuru Udana gets spooked by a snake during an LPL match (Source: Twitter)
Sri Lanka bowling all-rounder Isuru Udana had a lucky escape after coming dangerously close to a snake while fielding in the 15th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 on Saturday, August 12. Snake sightings on the cricket field are not new, these reptiles have created a brief interruption in the game in the past as well. One such incident was witnessed during the match between B-Love Kandy and Jaffna Kings at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The left-arm pacer was startled by the presence of a snake while fielding at the boundary in the second innings of the match. Udana really got close to the snake as he focused on his fielding to defend his team's total of 179. However, somehow noticed the snake and immediately moved away from it. The 35-year-old's expression in a video circulating on social media indicated it was a 'close call'.
Watch the video below:
Lucky escape for @IAmIsuru17 from the RPS snake #LPL2023 🐍🇱🇰🏏 pic.twitter.com/OnYokQxzvW
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) August 13, 2023
A week ago, during the match between Galle Titans and Dambulla Aura in Colombo, a snake invaded the ground and caused a brief halt to the game. Players and match officials had to wait before the ground staff could make the ground fit for play. Meanwhile, veteran India cricketer and LPL 2023 commentator Dinesh Karthik gave an interesting comment on the incident, saying, “The naagin is back. I thought it was in Bangladesh.”
Udana picks up a wicket in B-Love Kandy's triumph over Jaffna Kings
Talking about the match, Kandy emerged victorious in Colombo, beating Kings by 8 runs. Batting first, Kandy posted a competitive total of 178 on the back of Pakistan batter Mohammad Haris' 51-ball 81. Angelo Mathews and Fakhar Zaman scored 22 runs each before captain Wanindu Hasaranga played a short cameo (19 runs off 14 balls).
In reply, Kings got off to a poor start as they lost opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz's wicket in the very first over. Chris Lynn was the only top-4 batter to reach double figures while Shoaib Malik remained unbeaten on 55 runs. Proteas hitter David Miller looked dangerous but Udana took the big wicket. The Kandy bowlers restricted the opposition to 170-6 to secure the second position in the points table.