New Zealand opening batsman Tom Blundell was involved in a rare dismissal in a Plunket Shield fixture between Wellington and Otago.

The dismissal brought an end to a remarkable innings. With Wellington looking to hold onto a draw late on the final day, Blundell was the only Wellington batsman to pass 20, and at the time of the incident, was on 101 not out with his side seven wickets down.

Seven balls after a rain delay threatened to give Wellington a lifeline, Blundell was given out for obstructing the field, becoming just the second batsman to be dismissed in that fashion in the history of first-class cricket in New Zealand.

Blundell blocked a delivery into the ground and as the ball bounced, it looked to be heading towards Blundell’s stumps. Blundell attempted to kick the ball away but his contact with the ball actually diverted it closer to the stumps. The New Zealand opener then instinctively blocked the ball’s path with his glove.

A rare form of dismissal: @cricketwgtninc‘s Tom Blundell out on 101 for obstructing the field. @OtagoVolts going on to claim their first win of the season; they shoot up to 3= on the points table.

#worththewait #plunketshield pic.twitter.com/fPvT0z3hK8

— #NZIII (@MargotButcher) November 8, 2020

The Otago players – all sporting beanies – instantly appealed and Blundell was soon given out by the umpires. Prior to 2017, Blundell would have been dismissed handled ball but since then that dismissal now falls under obstructing the field.