An unbelievable run-out has stunned onlookers of an unofficial U19 Test match between England and South Africa.
While the dismissal is in a class by itself, the incident surrounding it has called into question whether or not the batter should have been given out.
England's right-handed batter Aaryan Sawant was sent packing after his sweep shot ricocheted off a South African fielder Jorich Van Schalkwyk at forward short-leg and collided with the stumps, with vision of the rebound appearing to show that it hit him in the head – bouncing back into the stumps off his helmet.
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An unbelievable run-out has stunned onlookers at an unofficial U19 Test match between England and South Africa. @Werries_ via X
Since the match was an unofficial Test, it falls under the Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) guidelines which state: "If the ball strikes a player on the head, irrespective of whether they are wearing a helmet, then a dead ball should be called immediately. Either umpire can do this.
"The dead ball should be called, irrespective of the apparent significance of the force with which the ball strikes the player e.g. even if it is what might ordinarily deemed a 'slight, glancing deflection'."
During a dead ball period, a batter cannot be dismissed, any runs scored will not be counted and fielders cannot make a play at the wickets.
However, in Van Schalkwyk's case, after being struck he fell to the ground before pointing to his left knee as he got up.
His teammates subsequently told the umpires that the ball had hit his knee, not his helmet.
As Sawant had moved slightly outside of his crease in the process of hitting the shot, his innings was brought to a close.
Vision of the incident has been scrutinised heavily since going viral online, with many arguing that the ball did indeed strike Van Schalkwyk's helmet, thus making the decision to give him out incorrect.
But cases have also been made that the decision was legitimate.
"The camera angle is deceiving and it actually struck his knee on a precise point that there was enough force to ping it back onto the stumps," South African punter Werner Erasmus wrote on X.
While it remains unclear whether the ball did indeed ricochet off Van Schalkwyk's knee and not the helmet, Sawant walked, and the dismissal has since been labelled the "craziest wicket ever".
"The craziest wicket EVER?! Run out off the helmet of a short-leg fielder. Yes, you read that correctly," England's Barmy Army posted from its X account.
