Fan gets lucky in the record-breaking NZ vs AUS T20I, wins NZD 50,000

He caught the six that Taylor had hit and the batsman also rewarded him for the same.

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A fan catches a six one-handed to win $50,000 as part of the Tui catch competition during the International Twenty20 match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park.
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A fan catches a six one-handed to win $50,000 as part of the Tui catch competition during the International Twenty20 match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Hours earlier, Australia created history by pulling off the highest successful run-chase in the history of Twenty20 cricket at Eden Park in Auckland. The Kangaroos chased down a target of 244 with seven balls to spare, courtesy a 121-run opening partnership between David Warner and D’Arcy Short.

Interestingly, those 121 runs came in only 8.3 overs. New Zealand’s target, which was the fifth highest total in all T20 Internationals, was chased down in only 18.5 overs. Finch blasted Colin de Grandhomme for the winning six and wrapped the game up.

Catches win matches, and prize money too

And while the home crowd seemed disappointed, there was a young guy in the crowd who went back home smiling. Cricket matches often turn out as a lottery for some lucky ones who participate in fan contests. For Mitchell Grimstone, a 20-year-old student it turned out to be an amazing evening when he took a beauty of a catch with one hand in the stands.

With that, he earned himself a cash price of NZD 50,000 from a local drinks sponsor for leaning over the railing at deep midwicket to take a splendid catch off Ross Taylor’s penultimate-ball six. He took the catch with one hand (left hand) and stunned everyone. After the match, the lucky boy was presented with gloves and the match ball by Taylor.

“I’m not left-handed,” he was quoted as saying by cricinfo.com. “But somehow I put it there and it stuck, and then everyone was jumping over me.” Taylor also left a special Instagram for the university student.

“Congratulations Mitch on a great catch and 50k. Enjoy my gloves and the match ball…”

Overall, the T20 Tri Series has witnessed as many as 32 sixes and 488 runs. New Zealand will now meet England for a place in the final on Wednesday, which is also at the same venue.

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