The Dawkins Drop Mystery
15.07.26, 16:37 Updated 15.07.26, 16:46
Fred Atkins
On Friday night, while his Kent team mates were suffering in Canterbury, Ben Dawkins was on England Under-19 duty in a test-match at Beckenham.
Fresh from a series-turning century during the one-day series against the Proteas at Northampton, Dawkins' arrival at the crease should have been a major draw for the crowd at the New County Ground, but his innings lasted just 12 deliveries.
South Africa had been bowled out for 295, leaving England with the proverbially "awkward" half hour to navigate before stumps. Dawkins had made five when he was given out caught behind off Bayanda Majola. A disgrintled Dawkins threw his head back in frustration, presumably because he didn't think he'd hit it.
If he'd known that keeper Joshua van Biljon had actually grassed the catch he'd have been even less grunted, but the truth is that aside from van Biljon himself and perhaps a couple of his fielders, no one noticed.
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