Ridiculous moment England get five penalty runs after SA fielding blunder

29 January 2023 , 12:27

900     0

England were gifted some extra runs by South Africa's wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen (Image: Sky Sports)

During the second ODI between England and South Africa in Bloemfontein, there was a bizarre moment when Jos Buttler's side were awarded five penalty runs after a blunder from stand-in wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen.

Klaasen is a frontline wicketkeeper, but was only handed the gloves midway through England's innings after Quntion de Kock injured his thumb. During the 15th over, Harry Brook under-edged a delivery from Anrich Nortje through to De Kock and the ball struck him on his right thumb.

De Kock quickly left the field for more treatment and was taken for an x-ray to assess the damage. And with Klaasen now behind the stumps, he was responsible for England receiving five penalty runs in the 39th over.

After Buttler mistimed a pull shot that deflected off his pads towards fine leg for a single, Klaasen flicked off one of his gloves to receive the ball from the fielder.

However, he fumbled the ball and it ricocheted off his hand and onto his discarded glove, handing England five extra penalty runs.

Ballance set to make Test return for Zimbabwe after Yorkshire racism scandal

It was the second error Klaasen made behind the stumps, having earlier been responsible for a no ball. During the 30th over, Klaasen accidentally dislodged the bails as Buttler was playing a shot against Aiden Markram.

Klaasen took the gloves midway through England's innings after Quinton de Kock injured his thumb (MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

The error resulted in England getting an extra run and gave Buttler a free hit, although the England skipper was unable to capitalise as Markram managed to escape with a dot.

England ultimately ended up posting an impressive total of 342-7 from their 50 overs, bouncing back from a disappointing defeat in the first ODI. Buttler and Harry Brook were the stars of the show, smashing 94 and 80 respectively.

Moeen Ali also impressed with a half-century, notching his first score of fifty or more since September 2017. Sam Curran also chipped in with a quick-fire 28 off 17 balls that included three sixes.

Matthew Cooper