Shane Warne top left and Matt Parkinson and his delivery. Picture Credit: cricket.com.au/ Lancashire Cricket/ ECB/ Getty Images
The ongoing English County championship has had quite a dramatic start to the season. From Hanuma Vihari's one-handed stunner to Mohammad Abbas' hattrick, the fans have seen it all. However, much to the delight of all fans, the world of cricket witnessed one sensational moment on Friday which actually turned the clock and sent everyone to nostalgia.
Matt Parkinson's ball of the century
On Day 2 of the contest against Northamptonshire, Lancashire's young leg-spinner Matt Parkinson completely stunned opponent's captain Adam Rossington with a peach of a delivery. The ball, which pitched outside the leg stump, turned sharply and crashed into the stumps with the batsman completely left bamboozled.
Watch the video here:
The delivery reminded everyone of legend Shane Warne's ball of the century. Not only was there a similarity in the appearance (leggie with blonde hair) but Parkinson's delivery to Rossington looked like a revamped version of Warne's ball to Mike Gatting on June 4, 1993. To add to the excitement, both the events coincidentally occurred at the same venue i.e. Old Trafford in Manchester.
Check out Warne's ball of the century:
While Warne's magic still remains fresh in the minds of everyone, Parkinson is probably the only bowler who has even come closer to the historic delivery by the Australian legend after 28 years.