Hampshire Hawks’ fast bowler Chris Wood earned widespread praise for his sportsmanship during a Vitality T20 Blast match against the Kent Spitfires on Sunday, June 2. The incident occurred at the Rose Bowl in Southampton in the final over of Kent’s first innings. Wood, 33, had just dismissed Xavier Bartlett, bringing leg-spinner Matt Parkinson to the crease.

Matt Parkinson started his innings with a single, while Joey Evison, at the other end, managed a couple off the next ball. The drama unfolded when Evison attempted a powerful shot off a low full-toss, but the ball struck Parkinson at the non-striker’s end. The impact caused Parkinson to collapse in pain, dropping his bat and ending up out of his crease.

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The ball ricocheted to Wood, who had an opportunity to run out the injured tailender. Instead, Wood chose to forego the easy dismissal, walking past the stumps and signaling the end of the innings. This act of sportsmanship was met with a round of applause from the home crowd, as Parkinson, visibly in pain, managed to return to his position at the non-striker’s end.

Impeccable sportsmanship 👏

Matt Parkinson is struck by the ball, and Chris Wood chooses not to run him out 🫡 pic.twitter.com/RijvNEpqWi

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 2, 2024

The Vitality T20 Blast shared a video of this incident on its official X handle (formerly known as Twitter), highlighting Wood’s commendable gesture. The match itself was a thrilling contest. Hampshire Hawks were set a target of 166 runs, needing 42 off the last three overs.

James Fuller turned the game around with three consecutive sixes, setting the stage for a late flourish. Benny Howell and Liam Dawson then hit crucial sixes in clutch moments, guiding the Hawks to a three-wicket victory.

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Earlier in the match, Kent Spitfires posted a total of 165 for 9, thanks to key contributions from Daniel Bell-Drummond and Sam Billings. Despite their efforts, the Spitfires’ total proved insufficient, leaving them with a record of one win and one loss in their Vitality Blast campaign so far. The match will be remembered not just for the thrilling finish but also for Chris Wood’s exemplary display of sportsmanship, which resonated with fans and players alike.