Netherlands Pacer Paul van Meekeren avoided what could have been a really serious hand injury during their World Cup 2023 game against New Zealand on Monday in Hyderabad. Van Meekeren also issued a gesture of thanks to Daryl Mitchell for hitting him with his shot.
In the 39th over of New Zealand’s innings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell smashed a full ball from Paul van Meekeren straight down the ground. The ball zipped past Meekeren’s right hand, which he thankfully didn’t extend to take a catch otherwise it might have resulted in an injury. The ball jammed straight into the non-striker end’s stumps.
One stump at the non-striker end was uprooted and hurled a few feet back, giving evidence of the power with which Daryl Mitchell had clattered the ball.
Looking at the mess that were the stumps, Paul van Meekeren folded his hands and bowed down as a gesture of thanks to Daryl Mitchell for not hitting him instead of the stumps.
The ICC uploaded this video with the caption: “Thank you for not hitting me”
Watch: Paul van Meekeren folds hands and bows to Daryl Mitchell
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyLUUL4PyAK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
New Zealand finish with 322/7.
After being put in to bat first in Hyderabad, New Zealand ended up with a total of 322/7. Three Kiwi batters – Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, and skipper Tom Latham – scored fifties but none of them could convert it into a big score. New Zealand would fancy themselves to defend this total against the Dutch. If they do, this will be their second win in as many matches in the tournament.
Teams:
New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Netherlands (Playing XI): Vikramjit Singh, Max ODowd, Colin Ackermann, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Scott Edwards(w/c), Sybrand Engelbrecht, Roelof van der Merwe, Ryan Klein, Aryan Dutt, Paul van Meekeren
