'Spirit of cricket': Classy act of sportsmanship wins over fans
Sri Lankan bowler Isuru Udana has been praised for an amazing act of sportsmanship in his side's T20 match in South Africa.
With the game on the line, the Sri Lankan quick showed his true class with a fine gesture for a stricken opponent in the Mzansi Super League.
'IN BED WITH MY SISTER': Cricketer's interview stuns viewers
Udana's Paarl Rocks were desperate to stop the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants scoring the 24 runs they needed for victory off the final eight balls of the match.
However, the Sri Lankan proved that respect for his opponent was more important than a 'win-at-all-costs' mentality.
A full-blooded drive from Heino Kuhn left the batsman at the non-strikers end - Marco Marais - with no chance of getting out of the way.
Marais lay in a heap in the middle of the pitch after being struck by the ball - stranded well outside his crease.
Udana regathered the ball that ricocheted off the unfortunate batsman but, rather than run out the injured Marais, he allowed his opponent to scurry back into his crease.
"What a spirit of cricket that is," one commentator exclaimed.
"He can run him out, he's on the floor but he (Udana) says 'no'".
The wonderful moment drew an outpouring of praise from viewers on social media.
This is class from Isuru Udana 👏pic.twitter.com/RZX5yutA23
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 8, 2019
#msl2019 Usuru Udana...take a bow. Great sportmanship pic.twitter.com/h4gp7R8dNS
— lwaz (@LwaizakaM) December 8, 2019
Udana fair play of the year #MSLT20
— Alexander Reddy (@Linston7) December 8, 2019
Proper sportsmanship by Udana that
— Shafiek Mouton (@fiekie7) December 8, 2019
Udana ❤👏🏽.
Man, I love this game! ❣ https://t.co/lVqayZHamR— Amelia (@AmyMogashoa) December 8, 2019
Great sportsmanship by Udana
— lwaz (@LwaizakaM) December 8, 2019
Isuru Udana has my heart. https://t.co/rStDGr6HBa
— RandomCricketPhotos&Videos (@RandomCricketP1) December 8, 2019
Marais recovered from the blow to smash a late six but the Giants' chase proved in vain as Paarl Rocks hung on to win by 12 runs.
Skipper steals the show with funny pre-game moment
The match also featured one of the most memorable interviews of recent times when Paarl Rocks captain Faf du Plessis spoke before play started.
Du Plessis was chatting to a TV host when he dropped an unexpectedly hilarious bombshell.
Asked whether there were any changes to his Paarl Rocks side ahead of the game, the Proteas batsman showed his funny side by throwing one of his teammates under the bus.
"Hardus Viljoen is not playing today because he's lying in bed with my sister," Du Plessis revealed.
The host could barely contain his astonishment before the South Africa skipper quickly explained his shock remark.
"They got married yesterday," he added before the sound of raucous laughter ended the interview.