“Through the hands and onto the nose”: Fan hurt after missing crowd catch in Thunder vs Heat BBL 12 match

Sydney Thunder have finally been able to let go of their position at the bottom of the points table after winning their second match of the ongoing 12th season of the Big Bash League. Chasing a paltry 122-run target, Thunder registered a statement by winning by 10 wickets with 50 balls to spare against Brisbane Heat at the Sydney Showground Stadium.

Been at the wrong end of the lowest T20 innings total earlier in the tournament, Thunder needed such a thumping victory to not only boost their morale but also boost their NRR (Net Run Rate). Although it still remains a work in progress, nothing but similar performances will surely aid Thunder in reducing the gap with competitors.

Opening batters Matthew Gilkes (56*) and Alex Hales (59*) scored individual half-centuries in a 70-ball 124-run partnership to seal the chase in the 12th over. Having scored a total of six runs across four innings this season until tonight, Gilkes hit six fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 164.70 in what was his fourth BBL half-century.

Hales, on the other hand, brought up his 14th BBL and 69th T20 half-century. A second consecutive 50+ contribution witnessed the 33-year old Englishman hitting 10 fours at a strike rate of 163.88.

Fan hurt after missing crowd catch in Thunder vs Heat BBL 12 match

Perhaps getting a bit too much inspired by professional cricketers, a mid-aged fan unsuccessfully attempted a crowd catch only to cope a blow onto his nose.

It all happened on last delivery of the 11th over when Gilkes hit Heat spinner Mitchell Swepson for a six over long-on. In what was the third such shot of the over, the man initially appeared to be seriously injured but was brave enough to himself confirm via a “thumbs up” that the situation was under control.

Not the first incident of a fan hurting himself with a cricket ball primarily due to overconfidence or negligence, fans are advised to be more careful while attending live matches in the future.

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• BBL 12
• Big Bash League
• Brisbane Heat
• Matthew Gilkes
• Mitchell Swepson
• Sydney Thunder