Bird attacks fielder on boundary in Australia after batter's shot forces him to move, bizarre video goes viral

Tasmania fielder Mitchell Owen tries to evade bird attack while fielding on the boundary (Screengrab: cricket.com.au)
Tasmania fielder Mitchell Owen tries to evade bird attack while fielding on the boundary (Screengrab: cricket.com.au)

Highlights:

Ben McDermott's 143-run knock went in vain as Queensland suffered a batting collapse and lost the match by 28 runs.

Caleb Jewell was adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for his run-a-ball 137 in the high-scoring encounter.

In a bizarre incident in the ongoing Australia's One-Day Marsh Cup 2023-24, a bird attacked a fielder on the boundary. In the clash between Tasmania and Queensland at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Jimmy Peirson played a shot square off the wicket. In the 38th over of the innings, Tom Rogers bowled a back-of-the-length delivery. Queensland captain Peirson played a shot that made the bird leave the ground. The ball raced towards the fence and Mitchell Owen could do nothing but pick it up from the boundary. Owen was surprised as the bird almost attacked him as the ball hit the ropes. 

 

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Tasmania won the high-scoring clash by 28 runs. Earlier, Pierson had won the toss and opted to field first. Despite Jake Weatheraland's early wicket, Caleb Jewell and Charlie Wakim scored freely. Wakim contributed with a 62-ball 82 before he was dismissed by Liam Guthrie. His knock featured eight fours and two sixes. After the platform was set and the ball was not moving around, Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk decided to carry the momentum.

Jewell and Silk shared a 117-run partnership for the third wicket. Jewell departed after a run-a-ball 137 featuring nine fours and a couple of sixes. He lost his wicket to Guthrie as well. Silk and Macalister Wright tormented Queensland bowlers. Wright contributed with a 10-ball 25 cameo before getting dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann. Silk missed his century as he lost his wicket to Kane Richardson. He scored 85 runs from 55 balls including eight fours and two sixes. Three more wickets fell in the slog overs but Tasmania managed to post 376/8 on the board.

Queensland openers gave a befitting reply in the run chase. Seam Heazlett and Ben McDermott played without fear. The partnership was broken by spinner Patrick Dooley in the 19th over. Heazlett scored 63 runs from 54 balls including seven fours and two sixes in the 145-run opening partnership. The onslaught continued as Jack Clayton joined McDermott in the middle. He scored 50 runs from 48 balls in the 113-run partnership for the second wicket. McDermott kept hitting boundaries from the other end. Unfortunately for Queensland, Joe Burns got run out for a single-digit score.

Beau Webster in the 37th over got the wicket of McDermott. The opener scored 143 runs from 112 balls. His explosive knock was laced with 13 fours and two sixes. After his wicket, Queensland suffered a collapse. Apart from Pierson's 28-ball 40, no batter made a mark as Queensland got bowled out for 348 with one ball left in the innings.
 

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