Ireland batter Simi Singh was reprieved in bizarre circumstances in the second ODI against New Zealand, with the TV umpire ruling ‘dead ball’ due to a towel falling from the bowler’s trousers during the delivery.

The incident occurred in the second of three ODIs in Ireland, with New Zealand having claimed the first in a thrilling finish, winning by one wicket with one ball remaining. The tourists got off to a strong start in the second, striking twice early to reduce Ireland to 5-2, and continuing to take regular wickets.

When Singh joined George Dockrell, who made a career-best 74 off 61 balls, Ireland were 126-6. That seemed to have become 172-7 when Singh edged Blair Tickner behind to wicketkeeper Tom Latham, who completed a routine low catch.

However, Singh did not leave the field, with the on-field umpires asking for the TV umpire to inspect the dismissal. With the ball having carried clearly, it wasn’t apparent at first what was being checked, and there was shock when Singh was reprieved, with Latham debating the decision with the officials.

With Tickner re-bowling the delivery, supposed to be the final ball of the over, and no extra run added, it was clear a dead ball had been signalled, with it eventually revealed that a towel which had fallen from Tickner’s trousers as he bowled was the culprit, with the umpires deeming this a distraction to Singh. According to Law 20.4.2.7, “Either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball when…the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery. This shall apply whether the source of the distraction is within the match or outside it.”

Tickner was still frustrated however. “I know the rule but if the same thing happens and I get hit for six, that’s not gonna be called a dead ball to take away the runs,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo, the discussion between him and the on-field umpire having been heard on the stump-mic.

The decision was not the only slice of luck Singh received, with the off-spinning all-rounder surviving a close stumping call earlier in his innings. While Latham clearly made contact with the stumps before Singh had got his foot back into the crease, the TV umpire judged that, by the time the bail was actually removed, Singh had regained his ground.

Singh was eventually run out for 16, with New Zealand bowled out for 216. New Zealand were made to work in their chase after Mark Adair took two wickets with the first two balls of the innings, but reached the target with three wickets in hand to claim the series.