[ad_1]
New Zealand and Wellington hitter Tom Blundell added his name to the list of unusual layoffs when he was handed obstructing the field on the final day of the Plunket Shield game against Otago at the Basin Reserve.
In the second over of the day, which had been delayed until very late due to bad weather, Blundell, who was in the 101, played a Jacob Duffy ball that fell by the feet in the crease and bounced up. Sensing the stumps might be in danger, Blundell first tried to kick the ball, which is legal for defending the grounds, but having failed to deflect the ball, he hit it with his glove.
The bowler and all nearby Otago outfielders, many of whom wore hats against the cold, immediately appealed and Blundell was ruled out. Until 2017, Blundell would not have handled the ball, but a change in the Laws brought that firing mode by obstructing the field.
Blundell will open hitting in the test series against the West Indies next month after his success since taking over the role on the Australia tour last year. After replacing Jeet Raval for the Boxing Day test, he scored 121 in the second inning; His second century of testing followed his debut tonne against the West Indies in 2017 when he played as a wicketkeeper.
Blundell started the national season as a wicketkeeper and opening hitter for Wellington, but after he had made four low scores, the switch was made to play as a specialized hitter.
