THIS MORNING’S BIG Bash League derby between the Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars conjured up the most extraordinary dismissal as bowler Adam Zampa managed to run out the non-striking batsman with his nose.
The young leg-spinner inadvertently headed the ball onto the stumps to dismiss Peter Nevill at the non-striker’s end in one of the most bizarre, and painful, wickets you’re likely to see.
On the second delivery of the 13th over, Renegades batsman Dwayne Bravo skipped down the pitch and drove it firmly down the ground. It ricocheted off Nevill’s bat and deflected onto the stumps via Zampa’s face.
There was genuine concern for the 23-year-old as the ball struck him square on the nose but thankfully he was okay to continue and even complete his over.
Everyone was able to joke about it afterwards with Zampa, who is regarded as one of Australia’s most exciting young prospects, seeing the funny side as he enjoyed a beer with team-mates.
“As soon as it hit the stumps I said ‘how’s that? That’s out!’,” he said.
“I thought it was broken when it first hit me. I guess I’m pretty lucky. I’ve taken some pretty strong painkillers. I’m pretty sure it’s fine.
“I don’t even know if I’ll get it X-rayed. It hit me flush.”
The Stars won comfortably by eight wickets with former England batsman Kevin Pietersen scoring an unbeaten half-century in front of a crowd of 43,100 at Docklands Stadium.