By their own hands: Five recent instances of handling the ball in first-class cricket

Although cricket is one of the most popular sports worldwide, the game is more complicated than it looks. There are numerous rules and regulations which players need to take care of while being in the field. While norms like fielding restriction in powerplay overs, wide and no ball are often in action, some rules come into the picture very rarely.

One of them is ‘handling the ball.’ Apparently, if a batsman is found guilty of stopping a delivery with his hand while batting, he is adjudged out. With a player holding the bat with both hands, such sorts of dismissals are very rare. However, there have been several brain fade moments where players forget the basics and stop the ball with their hands. So far, there have been 63 instances of a batsman getting out via ‘handling the ball’ in first-class cricket.

Let’s look at the 5 Recent Instances of handling the ball in first-class cricket:

Zubayr Hamza in 2016

A veteran of five Test matches, Zubayr Hamza got out in an unfortunate manner during the Knights vs Cape Cobras game in Sunfoil Series 2016-17. Coming to bat at number three in Cobras’ first innings, the Proteas cricket made a cautious start in order to assess the Bloemfontein track conditions. However, he got out handling the ball and walked back after scoring a 28-ball 10.

Sean Dickson in 2016

Sean Dickson’s First-Class debut for Kent was indeed forgettable. Opening the innings against Kent at the Grace Road in Leicester, Dickson got out on the second ball, and that too in a terrible manner. Umpires found him guilty of handling the ball and Dickson had to walk back for a two-ball duck.

Keddy Lesporis in 2016

Keddy Lesporis looked in fine touch when Windward Islands met Barbados in the Regional 4 Day Tournament in 2016. Windward’s decision of batting first in Bridgetown proved to be disastrous as they suffered a top-order collapse. Batting at number three, Lesporis played some fine shots and looked determined to rebuild the innings. However, he got out in a bizarre manner, handling the ball. As a result, he had to walk back after scoring 22 off 37 balls.

Imraan Khan in 2015

It was the Dolphins vs Lions clash in Sunfoil Series 2014-15 and the venue was Johannesburg. Dolphins opener Imraan Khan got a good start in the first innings as he tackled the new ball with precision. He also played some fine shots. However, in a rare instance, he was adjudged out handling the ball. Overall, he scored 29 off 71 balls.

Cheteshwar Pujara in 2014

Hailed as the ‘Modern-Day Wall,’ Pujara possesses a rock-solid defence. However, during the Derbyshire vs Leicestershire County game in 2014, he got out handling the ball.  Coming to bat at number four, Pujara initially looked watchful against the Leicestershire pacers. However, he could score just six runs off 21 balls.