A SOUTH Wilts cricket match against Lymington last week might have made the history books as the first time a player has been dismissed for handling the ball on a no-ball.

The controversial incident happened during Lymington’s run chase when Bryn Darbyshire was on 42 not out with the New Forest side needing 147 more runs to beat South Wilts 2nd team.

A no-ball was called by the umpire after bowler Dom Webb overstepped the crease during his delivery, and the batsman played a defensive shot.

On a no-ball, a batsman can only be out via a run-out, hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field and handing the ball. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) believe it is the first time the latter has happened in the history of cricket.

Law-makers MCC implement the rule to prevent the batting team from obstructing fielders in making a run-out.

In normal circumstances a player asks permission of the bowler before handling the ball and throwing it back to continue the game.

Darbyshire told The Times he was a victim of “bad sportsmanship” as he only picked the ball up once it was “dead and was going nowhere”.

Once the players in the team appealed, the umpires were left with no choice but to dismiss the batsman.

South Wilts Club Captain James Hayward disputed that account saying Darbyshire caught the ball after it bounced up. Yet he described the appeal as a “spur of the moment decision by a few fielders” as the batsman had the “intention of throwing it back to the bowler”.

He said: “As a club we do like to play a tough brand of cricket but also within the spirit of cricket. This particular incident was one where you are quite entitled to claim the wicket within the rules of cricket.

“In hindsight then the guys may have decided against the appeal but in any competitive sport you don’t have the luxury of time and on this occasion the appeal was upheld and the batsman was given out.

“I certainly think that the Lymington batsman will have learnt his lesson and won’t be in a hurry to catch the ball again whilst batting.”

He added: “That is best left to the fielders.”

After the wicket Lymington fell to 191 all-out and South Wilts won by 58 runs.