THIS is the bizarre moment New South Wales cricketer Daniel Hughes' out decision was reversed after an unusual mistake by Tasmania.
The huge reprieve took place in the very first over of the Blues' chase of 198 to open their 2023 Marsh One-Day cup campaign today.
As speedster Riley Meredith took off into his delivery stride, a white towel fell from his trousers just a short distance outside off stump.
Daniel Hughes backed away from the fast ball, nicking it behind and into the hands of wicketkeeper Caleb Jewell.
However his success was short-lived - Hughes pointed to the white object, protesting to the umpire over the distraction.
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Both empires were engaged in a brief deliberation before conceding to the cricket law, which rules in favour of the batter which is distracted during a run-up.
The law states: “Either umpire shall call and signal dead ball when … the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery,” the Laws state.
“This shall apply whether the source of the distraction is within the match or outside it.”
A strikingly similar instance took place in an international match in 2022 between Ireland and New Zealand.
Irish batter Simi Singh complained of being distracted by a towel that had fallen as Kiwi bowler Blair Tickner lunged into his delivery.
Hughes seemed unfazed by the strange start to his innings and delivered a comfortable performance.
The team ended up securing a six wicket win over Tasmania today, possibly signalling that the Blues could at last be back.
NSW just won two of seven one-day games last summer in a grim run that saw the team bowled out for only 76 against Victoria.
Nor did the Blues win a single Shield game at all in 2022/2023 and faced heavy criticism towards their recent approach to favouring youth over experience.
