One bounce, one hand? County batter dismissed in bizarre fashion

Moores had made two runs in the second innings of the County Championship clash when he got out in the 33rd over of the innings. He accidentally caught the ball thinking that it was going on to the stumps. 

Luke Procter bowled a short-pitched delivery angling into the left-handed Moores, who defended it on the back foot. The ball bounced near the crease, and might have been on its way to the stumps. Moores, reacting on instinct, caught the ball comfortably, immediately realised his error, and let it drop. The fielders immediately went up for the appeal, and Moores was dismissed for obstructing the field. 

Moores became the 43rd batter to be ruled obstructing the field in the history of first-class cricket. This includes two instances in Test cricket Len Hutton in 1951 and Mushfiqur Rahim in 2023/24.

Lancashire were chasing a stiff target of 446 against Northamptonshire. Barring Ben Walkden (22 not out), none of their batters got going, and they were bundled out for 129. 

Having suffered their fifth defeat in nine matches, Lancashire find themselves second-last on the points table, whereas Northamptonshire are third with four wins in nine games. 

Also read: Can Jaiswal or Fernando be suspended for their on-field clash? What does ICC’s Code of Conduct say?

Northamptonshire opened with 284 on the back of George Bartlett’s 92 as George Baldersen and Walkden shared seven wickets. Lancashire then managed a mere 137 as Ben Sanderson picked 4-39. With a considerable lead of 147, Northamptonshire declared on 298-4. Ricardo Vasconcelos top-scored with 100 and Saif Zaib scored 55 not out. Lancashire were then skittled out for 129 as Sanderson, Procter, Liam Guthrie and Calvin Harrison got two wickets apiece and Yuzvendra Chahal managed one. 

Northamptonshire will feature against Kent next, whereas Lancashire will lock horns against Worcestershire.

Image credits: England Cricket Board

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