HH vs MS | Twitter chuckles as Maxwell plays saviour to throw ball back after fan forgets ‘Keep the Ball’ rule

‌With rain delaying proceedings in the Big Bash League knockout game between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars in Hobart, the contest was reduced to 10 overs a side on Wednesday. The home side hit the ground running after being put in at the Bellerive Oval, with Mitchell Owen smacking Glenn Maxwell for a huge six off the third ball of the innings.

The off-spinner bowled a straight delivery on the slot around middle stump, with the big batter swinging his bat after going on his knee. It was right in the slot as the white rock flew past the fielder at deep mid-wicket and into the stands.

An elderly viewer threw the ball, immediately after it landed, back into the ground with the fielder at the deep relaying it back to Maxwell. However, after a moment of confusion, Maxwell threw the ball back to the fielder, who in turn got it to the young kid in the stands.

The BBL, at the start of this season, introduced a ‘Keep the Ball’ rule to further engage with the viewers at the stadium. According to the rule, if the ball clears the fence and lands in the stands during the first over, the person who catches it can keep it as a souvenir, and the play will continue with a new ball.

Twitter was in splits as Maxwell played messenger to return the ball to the young fan before play resumed with a new white cherry.

Rare!

pic.twitter.com/vFUw6VGH4V

— Alexandra Rodrigues (@R37389Alexandra) January 21, 2026

Co-incidence!

Mother of Co-incidence.

Its 2nd match btw HRT vs MS in BBL .

In Both matches

Maxwell coming for his 1st over Owen hit six

Getting dropped on Next ball

Out on 3rd ball It repeat in Both matches 💀pic.twitter.com/Mg0SI9qYuT

— ASUR (@CricketGoesCold) January 21, 2026

Gone!

Glenn Maxwell removes Mitch Owen in the first over. This is the same way Babar Azam got dismissed yesterday 💔 #BBL15 #tapmad pic.twitter.com/yNQix7iDvU

— Junaid (@MJunaid11579054) January 21, 2026

Got him!

Mitch Owen hit Glenn Maxwell for six, but then he got his man!



(Fine work from the Player of the Tournament with the gloves 👏) #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/uT8HkIbkT3

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 21, 2026

He is back!

MAXWELL IS BACK !! #StarAcademyLeLive

— Max (@Max094_Reikeb) January 21, 2026

Breakthrough!

Glenn Maxwell with a first breakthrough #BBL15

— Zero Sports (@ZeroSportsPk) January 21, 2026

Boundary!

Slug from Snug!



Beau Webster stood tall, and smashed this Peter Siddle delivery to the rope. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/zGuZENWpx9

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 21, 2026

Wicket!

"Haris Rauf in the game!"



Tim Ward departs and the Pakistan quick has his first wicket for the night. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/Jecvl0sAVV

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 21, 2026

Gone!

Haris Rauf strikes in his first over.🤩😊#BBL pic.twitter.com/slqiuc6Qak

— Cricket with Saadat (@SaadatQasi85304) January 21, 2026

Yeah!

Glenn Maxwell removes Mitch Owen in the first over. This is the same way Babar Azam got dismissed yesterday 💔 #BBL15 #tapmad pic.twitter.com/yNQix7iDvU

— Junaid (@MJunaid11579054) January 21, 2026