Paul Coughlin, on Sunday (June 16), achieved an absolute blind bowling during the game between Durham and Lancashire in the ongoing T20 Blast.
The right-arm pacer managed a catch in the seventh over of Lancashire’s innings when he was bowling to wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Hurst. On the fourth ball of the over, he tried to bowl a bouncer, but Hurst turned it into a low full delivery coming down the track.
The Lancashire batsman hit the ball towards Paul Coughlin, who had a split second to react. His immediate reaction was to crouch down and put his hand to his face to save himself. However, he ended up catching the ball in the blink of an eye to leave everyone, including the batsman, absolutely stunned. Hurst couldn’t even believe what he saw as he put his arm over his head in disbelief before returning to the locker room.
Watch Paul Coughlin’s capture:
What a ridiculous capture.pic.twitter.com/ucPjKpeH0Z
– The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) June 16, 2024
These are some of the reactions to the capture:
How come that didn’t kill him?
– Amy Crow 🐦 🧜♀️🌍🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@ItsAmyCrow) June 16, 2024
This has to be the craziest caught and released reflex.
I don’t think anything beats this… Unless there’s another one I don’t know about.
– Tanay Singh Thakur (@TanaysinghT) June 16, 2024
One catch in a thousand
-RJG (@RJG1791) June 16, 2024
Talking about the game, Durham beat leaders Lancashire by 2 runs in a thrilling clash to record their third win in seven games. The victory has placed them in third place in the points table.
Batting first, Durham amassed a massive total of 218 for 3 in the allotted 20 overs. Graham Clark and captain Alex Lees gave their team a solid start by adding 81 runs in just 46 balls for the first wicket. George Balderson broke the stand by dismissing Lees for 30.
It was followed by another great stand when Clark and David Bedingham shared a 109-run stand for the second wicket. Clark was the team’s top scorer, scoring 87 runs off 57 balls with the help of eight fours and four sixes. On the other hand, Bedingham scored 78 runs off 42 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes.
In response, Lancashire finished their innings on 216 for 8 to lose the game by 2 runs. They were reeling at 115 for 6 in the 13th over before Chris Green (38) and George Balderson (37*) revived their hopes, although they were unable to take their team over the finish line.
