T20 World Cup 2021: Keshav Maharaj runs himself out hilariously amid comedy of errors

Australia started their Super12 campaign in a nervy but successful fashion, emerging victorious in a low-scoring last-over thriller against South Africa, who they restricted for an unimposing 118/9 before chasing the target with five wickets to spare.

Having elected to bat, Temba Bavuma and Co. struggled to find any momentum throughout their innings, with Australian bowlers making hay on a sluggish track. However, in a moment of sheer comedy of errors, Keshav Maharaj lost his wicket while he attempted to sneak a single off a misfield.

Maharaj pushed a length ball from Pat Cummins towards the man at point, who threw the ball towards the non-striker’s end, where no one backing up meant the ball went towards long-on. Attempting to steal overthrows, Maharaj ran, though only to be sent back by Aiden Markram. In the process, he slipped and was eventually found well short of his ground despite the throw not being one of the best and making wicketkeeper Mathew Wade put a dive to break the stumps.

 

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Our whole bowling unit was outstanding: Aaron Finch

After the team’s narrow victory, Aaron Finch said: “The dugout was relaxed than I was. Quite stressful, and I was nervous. Stoinis and Wade showed a cool head to get us over the line, and that is what a bit of experience can do. Maxwell did a really good job with the ball. We knew he had good matchups in the powerplay. Our whole bowling unit was outstanding.

Ideally, I would have loved to push Hazlewood for a third over in the powerplay. He is a world-class bowler. He has accuracy and on a wicket providing variation, it can be tough. We understand that at different points guys need to rest and it gives others opportunities. We have some world-class players back in our side now and experienced players count in a World Cup. SA are as good a fielding team as anyone in the world. They are quick, bowl with discipline. We needed a bit of luck to go our way and it did,” he added.