Fans were left shocked as they watched what has been branded the most bizarre wicket ever during England Under-19’s game against South Africa.
Former England star Michael Yardy took his side to Stellenbosch for the first Test match between the two youth sides, which resulted in a dramatic draw as the hosts batted out until close to save themselves from a loss.
The likes of Archie Vaughan – former England captain Michael Vaughan’s son – Farhan Ahmed and Ben Dawkins were all involved in the travelling party and looking to build a lead with the bat.
After posting 299 in their first innings, South Africa responded with 319 and themselves were hoping to set up an easy chase as possible.
England eventually went onto 336/9 until declaring, but their score didn’t arrive without confusion when Aaryan Sawant was run out for 11.
The bizarre dismissal arrived when he spent spinner Jason Rowles, with short leg, just yards away, taking cover. Not enough cover, though.
England Under-19 star Aaryan Sawant was run our in what has been dubbed the most bizarre wicket of all time
Medics rushed onto the field to treat Jorich van Schalkwyk as he hit the ground in aftermath
The ball hit his leg – after it was originally thought to have hit the helmet – before firing back into the stumps
As Jorich van Schalkwyk crouched into a ball – as is the direction given if the ball heads the way of the person in the fielding position – the ball was fired at him and didn’t hit the ground.
It then appeared to bounce off his helmet and straight back onto the stumps, with Sawant out his crease and therefore run out.
As van Schalkwyk received treatment on the field, it was revealed that the ball had actually hit his knee and bounced back at force, hard enough to hit the stumps.
‘That’s unbelievable!’ the commentator exclaimed. ‘That’s van Schalkwyk there, he’s run him out!
‘Just when you think you have seen everything there is to see in cricket, something turns up.’
After being mobbed by his team-mates, help rushed onto the field to treat the fielder, who went onto make 27 with the bat in his side’s final innings.
Muhammed Bulbulia made 114, with Ahmed taking five wickets. England missed out on the final wicket, though, with wicketkeeper Lethabo Phahlamohla and Martin Khumalo seeing out the final few balls to secure a draw.
