Watch: Ireland all-rounder Joshua Little pulled off an incredible ramp shot while batting against Netherlands in an ODI, stepping off the pitch to complete the audacious stroke.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match awards, player interviews, analysis and much more.
The 21-year-old Little, facing the third delivery off the final over with the equation down to 10 off the last four at Utrecht, skipped to one side to take on the full ball from Logan van Beek. The ball wasn’t a bad one: a yorker outside the off-stump is considered a great option at the death, but Little pre-meditated excellently to pick the line and unleash a plucky stroke.
As he stepped aside to make room and lap the delivery, he pirouetted on one leg, balancing himself spectacularly as he found the sweet spot of the bat. The ball sped off his bat, with a misfield at short fine-leg taking it to the fence and bringing down Ireland’s required equation to six off three.
Little could manage only one off the next delivery, and attempted the scoop again off the last ball (with three required), but couldn’t finish off the 196-run chase, handing Netherlands a one-run win. Interestingly, he tried the shot even with fine leg right back on the boundary.
It was Netherlands’ first ODI win against Ireland in 14 years and kickstarted their World Cup Super League campaign.
Watch the incredible shot here:
https://twitter.com/Bringbackclt2O/status/1400121422245027840
