Just one month of this summer’s Sheffield Shield tournament has passed, but Tasmania‘s Jordan Silk may have already used his full share of luck.
When facing Queensland left-arm orthodox bowler Matthew Kuhnemann late on day two of a Townsville fixture, Silk was incredibly luck to survive an appeal for a catch.
The right-hander defended a full Kuhnemann delivery on his front foot and, as replays would clearly show, the ball ricocheted off his left shoe and bounced up to Matthew Renshaw at silly point.
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Instead of completing the catch himself, Renshaw made the bizarre split-second decision to deflect the ball to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson, who welcomed the Kookaburra into his gloves.
As Kuhnemann indicated in immediately pointing to his left ankle, it was clear the ball had not made contact with the ground – but neither of the on-field umpires held that view.
The two officials deemed that the ball had thudded into the pitch, allowing Silk to remain at the crease.
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“He’s got away with one, there, Jordan Silk,” said one commentator on Cricket Australia’s coverage.
“Never seen this before,” another commentator added.
British reporter Jack Mendell posted on Twitter: “It’s clearly out, not even a debate”.
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Silk was on 26 at the time and continued on to make 47 from 136.
Tasmania have since been tasked with the colossal challenge of chasing 438 to win.
The Tigers are 1-127 at stumps on day three, with Caleb Jewell on 65 and Charlie Wakim on four.
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