Kent were hit with a five-run penalty during their One-Day Cup final clash against Lancashire, falling foul of law 28 the MCC’s Laws of Cricket after an outfielder donned a wicketkeeping glove to catch a ball.

Ultimately the moment proved little more than academic, with Kent winning by 21 runs.

The incident came in the 21st over of Lancashire’s pursuit of 307 to win. Kent’s designated wicketkeeper, Ollie Robinson, had ripped off his gloves in order to chase the ball to fine leg, and threw the ball back towards the stumps where the batting pair had completed a single.

Unbeknownst to Robinson, Kent fielder Harry Finch had donned one of his gloves to catch the ball – infringing on the laws in the process.

“That’s not allowed,” said Ian Ward on Sky Sports commentary. “It might be a bit of fun, but actually it’s not allowed. Five penalty runs, we think. Finch is the guilty party, he’s picked up the wicketkeeper’s glove as he [Robinson] has run off to get the ball, caught it, wearing the wicketkeeper’s gloves, which you’re not allowed to do. Not seen that before in a professional game.”

“I’ve never seen that before,” added Michael Atherton. “I didn’t even know the law actually, I didn’t know that you couldn’t do that.”

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The law in question was law 28, which states that “no fielder other than the wicket-keeper shall be permitted to wear gloves or external leg guards”. Additionally, the law states that if a fielder illegally fields the ball, five penalty runs shall be awarded to the batting side.

While many wondered if the incident was the first of its kind, there is a recent precedent, with Pakistan captain Babar Azam costing his side five penalty runs during an ODI against West Indies in June.

Watch Kent cop a penalty due to the niche glove law below (UK only):

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