The two countries faced off in Wellington on Sunday, with England posting 309 thanks in large part to a century from Joe Root.

But it could be argued that Root's 121 off 108 balls (he was dropped on two), and Rangana Herath's hand injury after spilling a cracking caught and bowled chance off Jos Buttler, were not the main talking points of the innings.

That honour could well go to the review, called for after Suranga Lakmal sent in a full toss to Root in the 39th over. As Root failed in his attempt to flick it away, the ball crashed into the batman's leg and he and James Taylor ran a single, forcing a dive from Root that halted play.

"Seems as if there's a review here for lbw. That's ... optimistic," commentator David Lloyd said on Fox Sports.

Replays showed that Lakmal's foot being behind the line was the only positive thing to come from the Sri Lankans' review. Root's leg was well outside leg stump, and the ball was angling away as it hit.

"That is the worst I've seen," Lloyd said.

The review sparked conversation on Twitter, with most bewildered that Sri Lanka even bothered. 

Sri Lanka go for lbw review against Root. Sadly for them, the ICC have employed regulation stumps rather than oak trees. Missing. By a lot. — Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 1, 2015

Is Sri Lanka's review of a full toss from Lakmal to Root the worst use of a review in history? Possibly. Definitely a contender #ENGvSL — Laura Anna (@Lady_Aph) March 1, 2015

Quite possibly the worst review you will ever see from Sri Lanka. Missing Root's leg stump by at least a metre #CWC15 — Connor McMullen (@ConnorMcMullen1) March 1, 2015

As teams are allowed just one incorrect review per innings, the decision to throw away a review on that particular howler was even more baffling.

Fairfax Media