Injuries are part and parcel of cricket. While so many cricketers have had to remain on the sidelines on the months with some even having to call quits to their cricketing career prematurely owing to fitness issues, what happened in a T20 Blast game to Netherlands’ all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe still remains a rarity. During the match between Somerset and Sussex at the County Ground in Chelmsford, playing for Somerset, Van der Merwe was introduced into the attack in the 16th over.
While initially all seemed to be going away as he dismissed Daniel Sams on the first ball itself and only gave away a single run to the new batter William Butterman off the next delivery, on the very next ball, what happened was something that has left the cricketing fraternity stunned. The left-arm spinner delivered a full-toss to Matthew Critchley whose shot returned to the bowler in no time and hit the bowler on his finger.
He then showed it to his teammates and medical staff of the team who were quick to run on the ground as it was a case of dislocated finger. However, the same was put back in place and the Van der Merwe was ready to bowl the next ball.
The video of the same has gone viral on social media.
Take a look:
Roelof van der Merwe is an absolute trooper: dislocates his finger brilliantly stopping a ball, gets it put back in place, and sprints back to bowl! 😎
(Viewing not advised for the squeamish)#Blast23 pic.twitter.com/Z7naGZV76p
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 19, 2023
As far as the match is concerned, Essex scored 186 runs in 19.2 overs but Somerset ended up as the victorious side with them having chased down the total in just 16.3 overs to win the match by 7 wickets.
