A light-hearted moment stole the spotlight during the Big Bash League knockout between Hobart Hurricanes (HH) and Melbourne Stars (MS) when a fan’s innocent mistake led to confusion on the field. Glenn Maxwell found himself at the centre of the moment, stepping in to fix the situation and giving fans plenty to smile about.
The incident revolved around the newly introduced ‘Keep the Ball’ rule, designed to boost fan engagement. According to the rule, if a six is hit in the first over of an innings, the spectator who catches the ball gets to keep it, and play resumes with a new ball.
Early in the match at Bellerive Oval, Hurricanes opener Mitchell Owen smashed a six off Maxwell that landed in the crowd. However, an elderly fan instinctively threw the ball back onto the field, seemingly unaware that he was supposed to keep it as a souvenir.
The ball made its way back to Maxwell, who looked momentarily puzzled before realising what had happened. Showing presence of mind and good humour, he handed the ball to the officials, ensuring the rule was eventually followed and the ball reached a young fan in the stands.
— Alexandra Rodrigues (@R37389Alexandra) January 21, 2026
The amusing exchange quickly caught attention on social media, with fans laughing at the mix-up and applauding Maxwell for playing the role of a “saviour.” Many joked that even die-hard supporters need time to adjust to new rules.
While the interruption was brief and harmless, it became one of the most memorable moments of the match. The episode highlighted cricket’s lighter side, proving that sometimes it’s not just the runs or wickets, but the unexpected moments that make the game truly entertaining.