Watch: Kent batter Jordan Cox was left stunned after the on-field umpire ruled him out caught at short leg despite during a 2022 County Championship game against  Hampshire.

Cox had to walk back to the pavilion after a questionable from the umpire in Kent’s second innings. The last ball of the 80th over, sent down by Felix Organ, saw Cox tuck his bat behind his shoulder as he looked to let the ball go through to the keeper. The batter took a big stride forward, moving his front foot outside the off-stump, and the ball struck him on the pads and then ballooned up before falling into the hands of Joe Weatherley, the fielder at short-leg.

The fielding side went up in appeal, after which Cox was given out, much to his dismay. With the bat close to the batter’s back after he turned his face around, the umpire judged that the ball had hit his bat after striking his body. After the umpire raised his finger, Cox was left stunned, rooted to the spot but eventually had to walk back for a well-made 64.

Kent were all out for 296 in their second innings in response to Hampshire’s first innings score of 652-6 declared. Kent had made 305 in their first innings, losing by an innings and 51 runs.

There was much criticism of the umpiring decision, with some erroneously thinking Cox had been given out lbw, and others feeling the ball had hit Cox’s back and missed his bat altogether.

England stars Ben Stokes, Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone and Nick Compton were among those to voice their disapproval.

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