To win a cricket match, strong performance on both these aspects is necessary. Also, those who do well in batting or bowling are always chosen as Player of the Match for their excellent performance and contribution in the victory. But good fielding also plays an equally big role and now one player not only turned the match on the basis of his fielding but also won the star of the match award. This player is Luke Wood, who did wonders with his fielding in ILT20.
This amazing scene was seen in the 9th match of the ILT20 League being played in UAE, where English player Luke Wood was chosen Player of the Match for his excellence in fielding instead of bowling or batting. The reason behind giving him this award was his contribution in 3 excellent catches and 1 surprising catch, which changed the course of the match and played a big role in giving his team a big victory.
On Saturday, January 18, this match was played between Desert Vipers and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Batting first in this match, Vipers scored a strong score of 193 runs in 20 overs. Luke Wood was also a part of this team but he was not included in the playing eleven. In such a situation, he did not get a chance to bat, but during the team's bowling, he was fielded as an impact player in place of Azam Khan.
Luke Wood had us all holding our breath for a moment!
#DVvADKR #DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket@DPWorldUAE @DP_World @TheDesertVipers @ilt20onzee pic.twitter.com/PD91WkIBUe
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 18, 2025
This decision did not work in terms of bowling and he lost 21 runs in 2 overs. But he made his impact in a different way. Wood first got the wicket of Kyle Mayers by taking a juggling catch on the boundary. Then Charit Asalanka also took a good catch. After this, Sunil Narine was also sent back to the pavilion after taking a high catch on the boundary.
UNREAL!
We might have just seen one of the best catches of the tournament! What an incredible fielding effort from Luke Wood!
#DVvADKR #DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket@DPWorldUAE @DP_World @ilt20onzee @TheDesertVipers pic.twitter.com/w3iXhb9KzM
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 18, 2025
Wood had done a lot of work by taking these 3 catches but he made the biggest impact without taking a catch. Explosive batsman Andre Russell hit a long shot at deep midwicket but Wood stopped the ball by jumping in the air outside the boundary and threw it back towards the ground, where the second fielder took the catch and ensured the team's victory. He was given the Player of the Match award for changing the match through fielding.
