A cheeky fan at Kingsmead has left commentators in stitches after he signed the match ball before tossing it back onto the field during Australia’s T20I victory over South Africa.
The incident occurred with the last ball of the 15th over when South Africa’s Donovan Ferreira blasted a Tanveer Sangha delivery over the boundary and into the crowd.
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But when the ball returned to the umpires, they were forced to congregate out in the middle as they observed some markings on the ball.
As it turned out, the fan had brought his own permanent marker to the ground and decided the ball needed a personal touch before throwing it back on the field.
The moment left commentary duo Mpumelelo ‘Pommie’ Mbangwa and Hashim Amla in stitches.
“That’s so funny,” Mbangwa said.
“He’s brought a marker to the ground, whoever that fan is, and decided, ‘I tell you what, I think you need my signature, it’s a million-dollar one, I’m going to put it on the ball!’”
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Hashim Amla added: “I’ve picked my man of the match already. Kudos to him, he took his opportunity and he’s made a name for himself.”
Mbangwa was still chuckling away and left baffled as to what led the fan to bring a marker of all things to the cricket.
“Some people are funny,” Mbangwa said.
“I don’t know. Like, how does it even come to mind?
‘I know what I’ll do, I’ll sign the ball and send it back!’”
The fan’s cheeky efforts ultimately required a new ball to be brought into play.
In the end it was Australia who prevailed at Kingsmeadow as they reached the 191-run target with 13 balls remaining to secure a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep over the Proteas.
Travis Head produced a career-best knock of 91 (48) to steer the Aussies to victory, with Ferreira (48 from 21) the main bright spot for South Africa.
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