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The Dawkins Drop Mystery

Ben Dawkins was given out while playing for England Under-19s against South Africa at Beckenham, even though the wicket keeper dropped the ball. So what actually happened?

15.07.26, 16:37 Updated 15.07.26, 16:46

Fred Atkins

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.

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Fred Atkins

Fred Atkins Fred Atkins is a former Kent Messenger sports editor and has written several books, including The Spitfire Diaries, an account of Kent's 2021 season and Monty Panesar's "The Full Monty". He has followed KCCC since 1993 and has covered them for the ECB and Wisden since 2021.

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