Watch: Chris Wood displays exemplary sportsmanship as he decides not to run out injured Matt Parkinson

Chris Wood, on Sunday, once again showed why cricket is called the gentlemen's game as he displayed remarkable sportsmanship during the game between Hampshire and Kent in the ongoing T20 Blast 2024.

The Hampshire fast-bowler decided against running out Matt Parkinson even though he was well within his rights to do so. The incident took place in the final over of the Kent innings when Parkinson was standing at the non-striker's end. 

On the penultimate delivery of the over, Chris Wood bowled a full-length delivery that was hit hard by Joey Evison towards Parkinson. It was a full-blooded driver from Evison and Parkinson could not get out of the firing line in the time. He had already left the crease before being floored by the shot's impact. 

After hitting Parkinson, the ball deflected towards Wood who picked it up in the middle of the pitch. The left-arm pacer had all the time in the world to run out Parkinson who was lying well outside of the crease.

However, Chris Wood came up with a brilliant gesture as he upheld the 'Spirit of Cricket' and decided against taking any undue advantage of Parkinson's condition. Fortunately, Parkinson did not suffer any serious injury and stood up quickly before going back inside the crease for the last ball of the innings. The leg-spinner then bowled his full quota of four overs as well.

Watch the brilliant gesture from Chris Wood:

 

Impeccable sportsmanship 👏

Matt Parkinson is struck by the ball, and Chris Wood chooses not to run him out 🫡 pic.twitter.com/RijvNEpqWi

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 2, 2024

Talking about the game, Hampshire beat Kent by three wickets. Batting first, Kent finished their innings on 165 for 9 with captain Sam Billings (43) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (42) making useful contributions with the bat. For Hampshire, Chris Wood was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for just 19 runs off his four overs.

With the bat, Hampshire chased down the total with a ball remaining and three wickets in hand. Joe Weatherley top-scored for Hampshire, scoring 49 runs off 32 balls. James Fuller also played a crucial 16-ball 30-run knock towards the end of the innings.