Peter Handscomb refuses to leave after getting caught, umpires forced to act; WATCH

Victoria took on South Australia in the Sheffield Shield on Tuesday and the game produced one of the strangest moments of all time in cricket. There was a moment in the day when Victoria’s batter, Peter Handscomb, decided not to budge despite edging a delivery to South Australia’s skipper, Jake Lehman, stationed at third slip. The incident took place in the 13th over of Victoria’s innings. Pacer Brendan Doggett delivered a ball that shaped away after pitching and induced Handscomb’s edge. The ball flew to Lehman who dived to complete a low clean catch. However, Handscomb was adamant that the ball had bounced before reaching Lehman’s hands and refused to leave the field.

Peter Handscomb refused to leave after edging to the slips until being sent on his way by the umpires 😲 #SheffieldShield#PlayOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/7hs8u47tX7

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 28, 2023

Despite the replays confirming the legitimacy of the dismissal, Handscomb did not budge. Lehmann raised this point with the umpires even as Handscomb stood firmly in the middle alongside non-striker Campbell Kelaway. This led to an extensive discussion between the batter and the umpire. However, upon consultation with the fielder and officials, Handscomb was eventually instructed to leave the field. “I’ve never witnessed anything quite like this in my life,” remarked one of the commentators on air. As far as the match is concerned, Sam Harper and Campbell Kellaway successfully stabilized Victoria’s innings after losing 5 wickets for 67 runs. Wes Agar was the standout bowler for South Australia, claiming three wickets thus far. At stumps, Victoria were 187/5. Campbell Kellaway and Sam Harper were unbeaten 38 and 101 respectively. Harper smashed his third first-class century in his 44th match as he raced to his ton in just 64 balls. His innings featured a total of six sixes and stands as the third-fastest century in Sheffield Shield history. Brendan Doggett ended the day with figures of 2 for 45, but the major impact was made by Wes Agar, who sliced through the top order when he accounted for openers Travis Dean and Test hopeful Marcus Harris. With both teams holding the third and fourth positions on the ladder, this final match is crucial. It will be the last match before the Sheffield Shield takes a break until February, coinciding with the Big Bash League window.