Flashback: Andrew Symonds scores eight runs off one ball in a Test match
Andrew Symonds, the swashbuckling all-rounder from Australia, turned 46 on 9th June. The cricketer was always in limelight, be it for his performances or his indiscipline. He had a controversial career which often saw the potentially world-class all-rounder pushed out of the national team. In his career full of twists and turns, here is one particular incident where he profited a lot. Symonds managed to score eight runs off a single delivery in Test cricket. Here is how.
In the Brisbane Test of 2008, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to field first. Tim Southee proved his captain correct and snapped three quick wickets. Australia lost Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting cheaply to find themselves reeling at 23/3. Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey resurrected the innings. After Hussey’s fall on the team score of 96, Symonds walked in.
Here’s what happened during his innings:
Happy birthday @RoySymonds63! ?
One of the few men to hit eight off one ball in a Test match. How? This is how! pic.twitter.com/7OtFxvgPYo
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 9, 2021
In the video posted by Cricket Australia as a tribute to Symonds, the score reads 124/4. Iain O’Brien bangs in a short-pitched delivery which Symonds pulls towards the deep midwicket. While the fielder, Aaron Redmond, stops the ball, the Australian pair completes four runs. McCullum collects the throw from Redmond and tries to run Symonds out with a full-blooded throw. It misses the aim and dodging the backup fielder goes for four overthrow runs. Thus Symonds earns a total of eight runs off a single ball.
However, the all-rounder failed to make the most of the lucky break. Symonds got dismissed by O’Brien on the very next ball. He was out for 26. Australia managed only 214 runs in their first innings. In response, New Zealand mustered 156 runs. Simon Katich’s unbeaten knock of 131 runs propelled the home side to 268 thus setting a target of 327 runs. The kiwis once again fell apart and lost the Test by 149 runs.
