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In a rare and quirky moment in the ongoing County Championship 2024, Hampshire’s South African pacer Kyle Abbott found himself at the center of a bizarre incident during his team’s clash against Somerset on September 26. The incident occurred during the closing stages of Somerset’s first innings when Abbott, bowling a good-length delivery, cleanly struck the stumps of Somerset’s Shoaib Bashir. However, what seemed like a straightforward dismissal was overturned in one of the strangest manners seen in cricket—due to Abbott’s towel accidentally falling onto the pitch.
The Bizarre Incident
Abbott, who was in fine form throughout the innings, delivered a ball that hit the middle stump of Bashir, prompting celebrations from Hampshire. However, as Shoaib Bashir turned to the umpire, pointing out the towel lying at the non-striker’s end, confusion arose. Abbott’s hand towel, which had fallen from his back pocket during his delivery stride, had become a distraction, and the umpire promptly called the delivery a no-ball.
The moment, captured on video, quickly went viral after the official County Championship social media accounts shared it with the caption, “Have you ever seen this happen before?” Fans and pundits were equally bemused by the rare scenario. Commentators during the match confirmed that the no-ball was declared because the towel falling constituted an unnatural distraction for the batter.
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Somerset’s Struggles Continue Despite Reprieve
While Shoaib Bashir was given a temporary lifeline due to the towel mishap, his reprieve did not last long. Abbott, who was on the verge of a hat-trick, dismissed Bashir just two balls later through an LBW, ending Somerset’s innings at a modest 136 runs.
Abbott’s disciplined bowling saw him finish with impressive figures, and his consistent pace and accuracy troubled the Somerset batters throughout the innings. His efforts, along with contributions from his bowling counterparts, left Somerset reeling, but it was the bizarre towel incident that stole the limelight.
Hampshire’s Response to Somerset’s Innings
At the end of Somerset’s innings, Hampshire began their chase cautiously. However, they too faced a collapse, losing five wickets by the end of Day 1, with 62 runs on the board. The low-scoring affair showcased the challenging nature of the pitch, as both sides found it difficult to build partnerships. With the match finely poised, all eyes are now on the second day to see if Hampshire can recover from their shaky start or if Somerset will seize the advantage.
Other Strange Moments in County Championship 2024
This isn’t the first strange incident to occur in the 2024 County Championship season. Earlier in September, a match between Lancashire and Durham witnessed another unusual scenario when Durham’s assistant coach, Alan Walker, had to step in as a square leg umpire for one over due to a sudden toilet break taken by on-field umpire Michael Gough. Walker’s impromptu umpiring stint also caught the attention of cricket fans, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this year’s championship.
What’s Next?
As the 2024 County Championship approaches its conclusion, teams are battling fiercely for points, but bizarre and unexpected moments like Abbott’s towel incident are adding a lighthearted touch to the serious competition. With Hampshire looking to close out their innings and secure a win, it remains to be seen how the remaining days will unfold in what has already been an eventful season.
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