An attempted crowd catch at Australia’s second ODI against the West Indies has ended in disaster after a spectator copped the full brunt of a Sean Abbott six to the face.
Australia had been struggling at 6/142 when Abbott came to the crease after the top order crumbled at the SCG.
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But Abbott came to the rescue, smashing a career-high 69 in a brilliant, match-saving innings.
Abbott was the only batter to pass 50 for Australia and launched four sixes in 63-ball knock that pushed Australia to 9/258 off its 50 overs.
However, the brutal knock was where the problem also arose for the young fan as Abbott latched on to an Oshane Thomas slower ball and depositing it into the Member’s Stand.
“That’s big, that’s very big, it’s into the members,” Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
“Sean Abbott, the strength of the man.
“Has it taken a head? I think it might have.”
As replays were shown, the commentators were cringing in the box as it appeared to hit the man flush on the cheek, seemingly drawing blood.
“I think someone has taken one, you’ve got to keep a look out when the white ball is flying around at the SCG, powerful blow,” Adam Gilchrist responded.
“Oh that is nasty, the hands were in position. There’s a bit of a claret there, hopefully that chap is okay because he’ll be needing a bit of treatment.”
A woman next to the man immediately launched into action and appeared to be helping him.
Cricket Australia confirmed the man’s cut was stitched up and he is OK.
Foxsports.com.au reported the man was “filthy” he dropped the catch, and his mates said he was the leading catcher in his local cricket competition.
Unfortunately, judging by his mates’ reaction, which was one of falling around laughing, it’s hard to see him living this one down.
During Fox Cricket’s Big Break, the broadcast showed the man with his head heavily bandaged with his friends.
“Fantastic by me,” the man said sarcastically into the camera.
“We patched him up and he looks pretty good, he’s just a one-eyed bandit now,” Brendon Julian said.
“I don’t reckon he’ll be going to the pub tonight,” Mark Waugh responded.
“I reckon he will, I reckon he definitely will,” Julian said.
He definitely deserves a beer or two to help numb the pain after a blow like that.
Originally published as ‘That is nasty’: Fan catch goes very wrong in second Australia-West Indies ODI