JJ Smuts and Nicholas Pooran played explosive innings to propel Durban’s Super Giants to an imposing total of 226 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Gqeberha on Saturday. Smuts, in particular, was a formidable force, scoring 75 runs at an impressive strike rate, hitting the ball out of the park seven times.
However, his last maximum almost didn’t count due to a remarkable effort by Tom Abell. In the 17th over, Smuts took advantage of a slower ball from Daniel Worrall, sending it powerfully over deep square leg. The ball appeared destined to clear the boundary, but Abell had different plans.
With impeccable technique, Abell leaped diagonally backward into the air, extending his right hand fully to snatch the ball. He folded his legs at the right moment, gaining air-time, and flicked the ball back into play before touching the ground with his foot.
To the disbelief of Smuts and Pooran, who had assumed a six, they could only manage a casual trot for a single after witnessing Abell’s heroics. The entire crowd at St. George’s Park was in awe. Although initial replays suggested Abell had successfully saved the boundary, repeated reviews by the third umpire introduced some doubt among the spectators.
Stop it! Just stop it Tom Abell 🤯🤯🤯#Betway #SA20 #WelcomeToIncredible #SECvDSG pic.twitter.com/vQD8kJi9XX
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 13, 2024
Ultimately, it was revealed that while making the leap, Abell had mistakenly stepped on the boundary hoarding. According to the rules, a fielder must be entirely within the playing area for any effort to save a boundary to be valid. The 29-year-old Abell was visibly distraught when the umpire signaled six, prompting a collective boo from the disappointed crowd, perfectly reflecting the sentiments of cricket fans.