cricket fan is mobbed by friends after T20 $50,000 catch

Fans in Auckland were served up a treat on Friday as Australia completed a world-record chase to beat New Zealand in a high-scoring Twenty20 run-fest.

Regardless of allegiance, every member of the Eden Park crowd went home having been thoroughly entertained, while one spectator left happier than most.

Student Mitchell Grimstone, 20, walked away with a cheque for $50,000 (£26,350) after taking a one-handed crowd catch off a Ross Taylor six in the first innings.

Twenty-year-old cricket fan Mitchell Grimstone won £26,350 by taking a one-handed catch

The student held onto a ball which had been dispatched for six by New Zealand's Ross Taylor

The student held onto a ball which had been dispatched for six by New Zealand’s Ross Taylor

Leaning over a barrier, Grimstone grabbed onto the ball during a pulsating tri series encounter

Leaning over a barrier, Grimstone grabbed onto the ball during a pulsating tri series encounter

As he clung onto the ball, the safe-handed winner was soon to be mobbed by those around him

As he clung onto the ball, the safe-handed winner was soon to be mobbed by those around him

Grimstone looked  elated and stunned and he stared at the ball that had just made him rich

Grimstone looked elated and stunned and he stared at the ball that had just made him rich

As part of a competition run by beer company TUI, fans who buy and wear a promotional orange tee-shirt can earn themselves cash by taking a clean, one-handed catch.

Grimstone did just that as he leaned forward to grab the ball that had sailed over the heads of the Australian fielders and the boundary rope.

The winner was pounced upon by a group of friends, who all looked thrilled.

Remarkably, a similar crowd catch was taken towards the end of Australia’s chase, but competition rules dictate that there can only be one winner for match. 

New Zealand made 243 for six batting first, with Taylor crowd-caught six one of 18 maximums hit by the hosts.

But Australia produced a phenomenal reply, knocking off their target of 244 with seven balls to spare thanks to 14 sixes and 19 fours.

He was eligible to win the $50,000 prize after buying a promotional orange tee-shirt

He was eligible to win the $50,000 prize after buying a promotional orange tee-shirt

He was congratulated by those around him, including by another male dressed in orange

He was congratulated by those around him, including by another male dressed in orange

Grimstone made eye contact with Australian fielder D'Arcy Short, who came to retrieve the ball

Grimstone made eye contact with Australian fielder D’Arcy Short, who came to retrieve the ball



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