NZ vs SA | Twitter in splits as Trent Boult's sheepish effort converts wicket into six

South Africa continued to execute their batting template to perfection in Pune, building along gradually without losing wickets through the majority of the innings before going gung-ho in the final third of the 50 overs to make the score read a daunting 357 by the time their batting came to a close. The African contingent had two centurions to boast of on the day as Quinton de Kock struck his fourth World Cup hundred with a run-a-ball 114 while Rassie van der Dussen smashed his way to 133 off just 118 deliveries. However, the latter struggled at various stages during his stay at the crease and had quite the rub of the green to propel his efforts.

The phenomenon was most evident on the penultimate ball of the 44th ball with Jimmy Neesham trundling in against the 34-year-old. The all-rounder pitched the ball straight and on a length, inviting Rassie to get his bat through the ball and send it flying over his counterpart's head. However, the batter failed to get as clean a connection as he would have liked, seemingly set to bounce within the playing surface, as Trent Boult sprinted to his right from long-off to get underneath the Kookaburra. He just about managed to get there in time and extended his hands to cup the ball safely but to his horror not only did the white rock slip through but also popped up over his palms and landed across the boundary ropes for a maximum.

The dismay was writ large on Neesham's face, especially given Boult had dropped another tough chance earlier in the innings when Rassie was still in his 70s, while Rassie broke into a sheepish grin much to Twitterati's amusement.

What a six from Boult!

The best

Thanks

Amazing

Unbelievable

Super

The best kiwi

True

Looks like that!

Bang bang bang!