Dutch cricketer makes ultimate defensive play of T20 WC, then retires

GROS ISLET, SAINT LUCIA - JUNE 16: Sybrand Engelbrecht of Netherlands stops a six on the boundary line during the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between Sri Lanka and Netherlands at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on June 16, 2024 in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
Alex Davidson-ICC / ICC / Getty

Defensive plays don't get better than this in cricket.

Check out what the Netherlands' Sybrand Engelbrecht did in T20 World Cup action against Sri Lanka on Sunday:

Crazy, right? Fully outstretched, the shot was a guaranteed six, and Engelbrecht knew he had about a half second to get the ball back in play once he grabbed it.

Engelbrecht saved five runs by keeping the ball from going over the boundary, sacrificing his body instead. Defensive players are allowed to toss the ball back into the field of play before they make contact with the boundary.

It was all for naught, though, as the Dutch were pummelled by Sri Lanka for an 83-run loss, but no one can ever take that play away from Engelbrecht.

In fact, Engelbrecht announced his retirement from international cricket at age 35 only hours after the match. Give him this: The man knows how to make an exit.

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