A couple of run-outs in the second match of the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season between MI New York and Texas Super Kings in California had the feel of a village cricket game somewhere in Europe. The dismissals of Trent Boult and Kieron Pollard on Friday, June 13, hardly reflected the standards of professional cricket.
Chasing 186, MI New York lost three wickets to run-outs in the space of just two overs.
MI were cruising towards the target when Kieron Pollard took on Daryl Mitchell, smashing the New Zealand all-rounder for three fours and a six in the first four deliveries of the 17th over. However, the former West Indies captain was run out on the fifth delivery.
Pollard attempted to heave a full-length delivery but failed to make decent contact. The ball deflected off his pads into a vacant area inside the 30-yard circle on the leg-side. He set off for a single, strolling casually towards the non-striker’s end. Daryl Mitchell fielded the ball off his own bowling and produced a direct hit at the non-striker’s stumps. Only halfway through the run did Pollard realise Mitchell was on to the ball quickly. By the time he picked up his pace, it was too late — he was run out for 32 off 16 balls.
On the very next delivery, MI New York lost Monank Patel for 62 (44), collapsing from 141 for 4 to 159 for 6 within the space of an over.
THE TRENT BOULT RUN-OUT: VIRAL VIDEO
The shambolic running between the wickets reached a crescendo when Trent Boult was run out in the 19th over.
The New Zealand fast bowler gifted his wicket away after a truly bizarre mix-up with Tajinder Dhillon.
Tajinder played a length delivery from Adam Milne down towards the third man. Mohammad Mohsin, patrolling the boundary, made a sharp stop. Boult, who had made it to the striker’s end, called for a second run. However, in setting off, he dropped his bat. He briefly returned to the crease but then attempted to go for the second run again — this time without the bat in hand. A moment of confusion followed as he and Tajinder hesitated, and Boult ended up slipping near the crease. Unable to recover in time, he was run out, with wicketkeeper Devon Conway completing the dismissal.
The clips of Pollard’s and Boult’s dismissals have since gone viral.
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad reacted to Boult’s dismissal on social media, reposting the video and writing: “Watched it 50 times already.”
MI New York ultimately paid the price for their sloppy running, losing their MLC 2025 opener by three runs to the Texas Super Kings. They lost their last seven wickets for just 61 runs.
MI New York next face the San Francisco Unicorns in California on Sunday, June 15.
