Jake Weatherald in action against Tasmania [Source: cricketcomau/x.com]Australia’s out-of-favour opening batter Jake Weatherald was in the thick of things when Tasmania’s Raf MacMillan bowled a bizarre delivery, trying to rescue his team from a precarious situation.Funnily enough, the failed attempt went viral, and Weatherald continued to capitalise on the good start.The southpaw, representing South Australia, faced his former team, Tasmania, in their second match of the One Day Cup 2026/27, and the batters were all over the bowlers when MacMillan’s clip went viral.Watch- Jake Weatherald punishes MacMillanThe incident happened in the 15th over of the One Day Cup match between South Australia and Tasmania at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.South Australia were cruising in the first innings when Jake Weatherald came in to bat at 120/1 at 13.5 overs. Just a few balls later, he faced off-break bowler Raf MacMillan, who was just introduced to the attack.At 14.5, just when MacMillan thought he had kept things quiet, the ball slipped out of his hand and the unintentional 'moonball' went off the pitch on the leg-side — comically, the bowler was also trying to find it. On the other end, Weatherald thought to capitalise and ran down the track to hit a four between deep mid-wicket and deep square.However, the ball was deemed a no-ball as well as a dead ball and the four was scrapped off. Weatherald made the best of the free-hit and punished the 21-year-old MacMillan with a six over long-on to avenge a denied four.Watch the events below-cricket.com.au @cricketcomau Cricket really is a silly game #OneDayCup Sep 23, 2026, 7:49 AM Also Read: Australia Stars Who Must Perform In South Africa ODIs To Avoid 2027 World Cup ExclusionHow was it both a no-ball and dead ball?After the ball was bowled, experienced Australian umpire Gerard Abood looked very clear with his interpretation of the situation and immediately termed it a no-ball and a dead ball.He was also seen having a conversation with the non-striker Mackenzie Harvey, who could have been upset after being denied a four. Usually, when the ball bounces more than once on the pitch, it is given a no-ball, but the runs scored off it count.But here, as per the umpire’s interpretation, the ball had settled before Weatherald hit it; hence, it is a dead ball according to the MCC laws. Additionally, the ball first bounced out of the pitch after the release, which is termed a no-ball, and a free hit is awarded according to MCC Law 21.South Australia rip into TasmaniaAfter the 120-run opening partnership, where Jake Fraser-McGurk scored 88 off 47 with 9 fours and 6 sixes, the South Australian batters built on the foundation laid by the openers.Jake Weatherald, who was recently dropped from the Test squad, went on to score 92(90), with 6 fours and 4 sixes, alongside wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes’ 97*(65) to end the innings strong with 14 fours and a six.All others, led by Harvey’s 41(44), chipped in with double-digit scores to take the team to 383/7 in 50 overs at the end of the first innings.Also Read: New Zealand Squad vs India T20Is Series Announced; Mitchell Santner To Lead
