Since the introduction of T20 cricket, batters have developed a taste for playing unconventional shots in an attempt to score quick runs and keep bowlers guessing about their next move. Ramps, scoops, reverse-scoops and switch hits are now seen frequently in cricket as innovation continues to grow in cricket with every passing day.
In the latest, Australia's Jake Lehmann played an intriguing shot and was duly awarded with a boundary for his invention. While ramps, scoops and other innovative shots come off the face of a bat, Lehmann used the back of the bat and paddled the ball over the wicket-keeper's head for a boundary behind the wicket.
The incident took place between South Australia and Tasmania in the Marsh Cup when Lehmann was facing off-spinner Jarrod Freeman. The Tasmanian spinner kept the ball tight on the stumps but Lehmann found a way to score a boundary off a good delivery. The left-handed batter crouched on one knee and paddled the ball over the wicket-keeper's head from the back of his willow.
Watch the video here:
While Lehmann got the attention of fans with his creative shot, his knock of 34 runs off 35 deliveries could only save South Australia from embarrassment as the team fizzled out for a score of 220 runs.
Tasmania made a mockery of South Australia's total and chased down the target in just 32.5 overs with eight wickets intact. Ben McDermott (71 runs off 90 balls) and Caleb Jewell (126 runs off 97 balls) stitched a match-winning partnership of 198 runs for the opening wicket.
