We have just witnessed one of the most incredible things ever seen in a Test cricket match! During the Third Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley, Kiwi batsman Henry Nicholls was on the end of one of the most bizarre dismissals you will ever see.
Nicholls' attempted drive down the ground had the non-striking batsman, Daryl Mitchell, scrambling to get out of the way. But Mitchell inadvertently got the full face of his bat to the ball, deflecting it to Alex Lees at mid-off. Bowler Jack Leach, who had turned towards the initial flight of the ball to his left after seeing Nicholls' shot come straight towards him, was left wondering how on earth he had managed to pick up a second wicket somewhere over his right shoulder!
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Nicholls had been finding batting hard all afternoon but managed to grind his way to 19 from 99 balls, only to get out in the most extraordinary circumstances. Leach's facial expression was quite a picture, and it was exactly how everyone else inside the stadium and those watching at home reacted because to call what just happened rare is an understatement. For players of both sides it will have sparked memories of Ben Stokes' inadvertent four overthrows as he batted England towards Cricket World Cup glory against New Zealand in July 2019.
To make things worse for Nicholls, Headingley erupted with laughter when the replays were shown on the big screen as he was taking his leave of the field, trying to comprehend how he had just been dismissed.
Cricket never fails to serve up entertainment, and this particular moment won't be forgotten in a hurry.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
