6 batters dismissed by the same bowler in the same session – Dinesh Chandimal joins the ultimate ignominy

Jonhenry Wilson 08 Feb 2025

Nathan Lyon in Test cricket for Australia

Nathan Lyon dismissed Dinesh Chandimal twice in one session during Australia's Test series against Sri Lanka in early 2025.

Tests are becoming shorter with increasingly few going the full five days. But no matter how short Tests become, there are still some things that are considered embarrassing or absolute must-not-happens.

For example, out twice on the same day is something that no batsman ever wants to experience. But it can get worse, as Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal found out during the first Test against Australia in Galle last week – he was out twice in the same session.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, he was out twice in the same session to the same bowler. This is most certainly not a common occurrence. Let’s look at the six times this has happened in the history of Test cricket.

1. Wazir Mohammad (England vs Pakistan, Manchester, 1954)

A weather affected Test at Old Trafford ended in a draw back in 1954. England, skippered by opening batsman David Sheppard (not the man who would go on to be an umpire), won the toss and elected to bat. They posted a score of 359 for eight declared, with Denis Compton the top scorer with 93.

The whole of day two was lost and England declared early on day three. Pakistan was rolled out quickly in their first innings, all out for just 90 runs in 56.5 overs. Middle order batsman Mohammad, who played a total of 20 Tests with an average 27.62, was seventh man out with the score on 80.

Asked to follow on Pakistan were soon in trouble as Hanif Mohammad and Shujauddin both fell for singles. Mohammad was promoted up the order to three and didn’t last long before he was third man out. At stumps Pakistan was on 25 for four. No play was possible on days four and five and the game ended in a draw.

2. Alan Knott (England vs West Indies, Lord’s, 1973)

England wicketkeeper Alan Knott was the second player to be dismissed twice in the same session by the same bowler. To make it even more of a curious anomaly, in both instances he was also caught by the same player – West Indies keeper Deryck Murray the man doing the job behind the stumps.

The West Indies batted first and posted a formidable score of 652 for eight. Rohan Kanhai, Garry Sobers and Brendan Julien all made centuries as England toiled in the field for almost two days. At 176 for four in their first innings, with Tony Greig and Keith Fletcher going well, it looked okay for England. But wickets fell quickly, and Knott was ninth out with the score on 213. Twenty runs later it was all over and the home side were duly asked to follow on.

When Dennis Amiss fell with the score on 32, Knott came in as nightwatchman. He didn’t last long however, out shortly before stumps on day three. England went on to lose the game by an innings and 226 runs.

Also read: Who has taken the most wickets in T20 cricket?

3. Mohammad Rafique (Bangladesh vs India, Chattogram, 2004)

A powerful Indian team that included the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble put Bangladesh to the sword when they met in Chattogram in 2004. Batting first India scored 540 as Gambhir and Dravid both reached triple figures.

Mohammad Rafique worked hard with the ball as he was the pick of the bowlers with figures of four for 156 in 50 overs. He was eighth man out in Bangladesh’s first innings, falling for 4. Having batted ninth in the first innings he was promoted up the order for the second knock, where he came in at five.

He blasted a brisk 22 from 21 balls before he was dismissed making it his second dismissal in the final session of day three. India couldn’t quite wrap things up on day three, but they duly finished the game on the morning of day four as they ran out winners by an innings and 83 runs.

4. Salman Butt (England vs Pakistan, Lord’s, 2010)

Pakistan skipper Salman Butt did not enjoy this game at the home of cricket. Batting first England made a score of 446 on a pitch that was good to play on if you got in. The hosts registered five ducks, but Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad both found conditions to their liking as they posted scores of 184 and 169 respectively.

When it was their turn to bat, Pakistan fell apart, all out for 74. Butt top scored for his team in the first innings, making 26. Asked to follow on he was back at the crease for a second time in the final session of day three – but not for long as he made 21 and was out an over shy of stumps. England went on to win by an innings and 225 runs.

5. Lorcan Tucker ( Sri Lanka vs Ireland, Galle, 2023)

Test minnows Ireland were up against Sri Lanka on a turning track in Galle in 2023 when Lorcan Tucker ran into Prabath Jayasuriya in a ten-wicket-in-a-match-mood. Sri Lanka batted first and Ireland were helpless as four of the home batsmen made centuries on the way to a score of 591 for six declared.

Tucker batted bravely in the first innings, top scoring with 45 before he was eighth man out. The next two wickets fell for the addition of zero runs and Ireland were following on before they knew it. It was 24 for three after just ten overs when Tucker strode to the crease. Just eight runs and two overs later he was walking back to the pavilion for the second time in the morning session.

Although Ireland’s lower order fought hard, Sri Lanka duly wrapped up the game, winning by an innings and 280 runs.

6. Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka vs Australia, Galle, 2025)

The final time this rare occurrence occurred was also at Galle and it happened in the first Test of the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and Australia. The tourists won the toss and batted first, posting a formidable score of 654 for six declared. Usman Khawaja with 232, Steve Smith (141) and debutant Josh Inglis (102) were the top scorers.

On a surface that favoured spin Aussie veteran Nathan Lyon was quickly into the attack. Chandimal batted bravely as wickets fell around him, his knock of 72 the best of the innings. When he was seventh man out with the score on 156 the home sides innings ended quickly as they added just a further nine runs.

Following on Chandimal was back at the crease in the third over as both openers went early. Once again, he fought hard, this time scoring 21, before returning to the pavilion in the 18th over. Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 242 runs.