Watch: Johnson Charles somehow survived getting dismissed after a most singular passage of play in the 2023 CPL.

St Lucia Kings openers Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles got off to a quick start after Trinbago Knight Riders captain Kieron Pollard opted to bowl in a CPL 2023 match at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts.

Andre Russell eventually had du Plessis caught at short third, for a 36-ball 57, but Charles continued, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa for company.

St Lucia were 101-1 in 11.3 overs when Dwayne Bravo ran in to bowl. Charles stooped, then scooped the ball – unfortunately, straight on to the grille of his helmet, knocking it off his head.

As the helmet descended towards the stumps – or not – Charles instinctively put his left leg up to intercept the fall. The helmet bounced off his hip and lost pace, hit Charles’ boot, and rolled away harmlessly.

Charles avoided getting out hit wicket a la Adam Parore, whose helmet had fallen on to the stumps off Brett Lee in 2000.

Charles did not last long: Russell had him caught behind for a 31-ball 37 in the next over. St Lucia eventually made 167-5 despite excellent efforts from Bravo (2-31), Russell (2-28), and Akeal Hosein (4-0-21-0).

The Trinbago response was spectacular. They quickly became 41-3 before Mark Deyal (33 in 19 balls) and Pollard (34 in 15) brought down the target to 86 in 73 balls with seven wickets standing.

Seven overs and 41 runs later, they were all out as Kharry Pierre finished with 4-20.

Watch Johnson Charles survive getting hit wicket in unusual fashion: