Josh Hazlewood was left visibly frustrated after a bizarre collision with Bangladesh batter Taskin Ahmed denied the Australian pacer a possible return catch during the second Test in Mackay on Saturday.
The unusual incident unfolded in Bangladesh’s 28th over, with the visitors already reeling at 38 for eight. Hazlewood dug the ball short, and Taskin backed away before attempting a pull, only for the ball to take the top edge and balloon almost vertically into the air.
Hazlewood immediately moved forward, keeping his eyes fixed on the descending ball as he attempted to complete the return catch. Taskin, meanwhile, set off from his crease looking for a run. Their paths crossed, and the pair collided, leaving Hazlewood unable to get underneath the ball as it dropped safely nearby.
The Australian quick was far from pleased. Hazlewood immediately looked towards the square-leg umpire after the collision, seemingly questioning Taskin’s movement during the attempted catch. Australia captain Pat Cummins then walked across to the bowler’s-end umpire Nitin Menon for a conversation as the Australians sought an explanation over what had just unfolded. The umpires were unmoved, and play continued, with independent live coverage of the Test describing Hazlewood as “fuming” after the explanation was given to him.
Hazlewood’s frustration continues
It was an especially irritating moment for Hazlewood, given how close Australia were to wrapping up a Bangladesh innings that had already unravelled spectacularly. Only moments earlier, Hazlewood had dismissed Hasan Mahmud for 10 to reduce Bangladesh to 38 for eight. He changed his angle to come around the wicket and immediately found the breakthrough, with Nathan Lyon completing the catch.
Taskin’s fortunate escape did not last long, however. In the following passage of play, Cummins went short to the Bangladesh fast bowler, who again attempted an attacking shot. This time the ball went into the air, and Matt Renshaw completed the catch, dismissing Taskin for one and leaving Bangladesh 39 for nine.
Hazlewood’s frustration was not quite over either. Bangladesh’s final pair surviving for longer than Australia would have expected, the Australian quick remained visibly annoyed as the innings dragged on.
Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for just 64 in 34 overs, with Mitchell Starc leading Australia’s destruction with extraordinary figures of six wickets for 12 runs from 10 overs. Cummins picked up two wickets, while Hazlewood finished with one despite coming close to adding Taskin to his tally during one of the strangest moments of the innings.