Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter Joe Moores was dismissed in an unusual manner during their County Championship match against Northamptonshire, becoming only the 43rd batter in first-class cricket history to be given out for obstructing the field, Wisden reported.Moores had scored two runs in Lancashire’s second innings when the incident occurred in the 33rd over.Northamptonshire pacer Luke Procter bowled a short delivery that angled into left-handed Moores. The batter went back and defended the ball, which bounced close to the crease and appeared to be heading towards the stumps.Moores then caught the ball with his hands, seemingly thinking it was about to hit the stumps. He quickly realised his mistake and dropped it.Northamptonshire’s fielders appealed, and Moores was given out for obstructing the field.The dismissal placed Moores in a small group of batters to have been given out in this manner in first-class cricket. The list includes two Test cricketers — England’s Len Hutton in 1951 and Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim in 2023-24.Lancashire were chasing 446 for victory but were bowled out for 129. Ben Walkden was the only batter to offer resistance, finishing unbeaten on 22.The defeat was Lancashire’s fifth in nine matches and left them second-last in the points table. Northamptonshire moved to third with four wins from nine games.Northamptonshire had made 284 in their first innings, with George Bartlett scoring 92. George Balderson and Walkden took seven wickets between them.Lancashire were then dismissed for 137, with Ben Sanderson taking 4-39.Northamptonshire built a lead of 147 before declaring their second innings at 298-4. Ricardo Vasconcelos scored 100, while Saif Zaib remained unbeaten on 55.Lancashire’s second innings lasted only 129 runs. Sanderson, Procter, Liam Guthrie and Calvin Harrison took two wickets each, while Yuzvendra Chahal took one.Northamptonshire’s next match is against Kent, while Lancashire will face Worcestershire.
