Watch: A Canada batter’s glaring attempt at blocking the opposition fielders from taking her catch went unpunished in a fixture against USA, causing mirth and bafflement in equal measure.

In the ninth game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier, Canada Women’s opener Divya Saxena mishit the first delivery she faced, off USA Women’s Sara Farooq. The ball popped up in the air near to the pitch, with the keeper, first slip, bowler, and other fielders sprinting in to take the catch.

However, the batter herself ran in the direction of the ball, and caused enough confusion to ensure that no fielder could take the catch. Soon, she turned around and returned to her crease to save herself from being run out.

Saxena would go on to score 40 in Canada’s total of 85. USA ended up with 78-7, losing the game by seven runs.

Law 37 in the Laws of cricket established by the MCC, concerns ‘obstructing the field’ dismissals:

37.1 Out obstructing the field

37.1.1 Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action.

Law 37.2, essentially, lists out the exceptions to the above. These could be situations where the obstruction was accidental, to avoid an injury, or when a batter makes a second strike to protect his/her wicket. However, this exception too has a rider attached to it. The same is listed in Law 37.3.

Law 37.3 Obstructing a ball from being caught

37.3.1 If the delivery is not a No ball, the striker is out Obstructing the field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker being out Caught.

The case would appear an open and shut one, but Saxena was reprieved. There was plenty of fun poked at the incident, including The Cricketer’s Nick Friend calling it “by far the most gloriously blatant piece of obstructing the field” he had ever seen.

You can view the strange moment here:

From last week in Mexico… @usacricket Women loss by 7 runs to Canada. Blatant obstructing the field by opener Divya Saxena off her first ball in the first over of play. Given not out. She went on to make 40 out of Canada's total of 85. pic.twitter.com/WHRbryODSk

— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) October 31, 2021