An English T20 cricket side have moved their wicket keeper into an unconventional field position during a game, and it was deemed legal by officials.

As Worcestshire struggled to contain Northamptonshire batsmen Josh Cobb, the bowling captain used a bizarre method to stem the flow of runs – moving their wicket keeper into the outfield.

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Skipper Daryl Mitchell told gloveman Ben Cox to scrap his pads and helmet and move into fly slip position.

With Northamptonsire’s batsmen now facing one extra outfielder on the oval, the umpires were forced to deliberate as to whether the move was legal.

After a long discussion that consulted by Mitchell and Cobb, they decided it was allowed under the laws of the game.

Journalists at the game took to Twitter to share the unusual field placement.

That man there is Ben Cox. The wicket keeper. He’s thrown his pads and gloves off the pitch. pic.twitter.com/0fmob7CYF4

— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) June 5, 2015

Worcestershire are currently fielding without a keeper off Ali. Ben Cox on the edge of the the circle. 58 off 24. pic.twitter.com/X4OKNs0mSy

— Ciaran Thomas (@ciaranthomas91) June 5, 2015

The move worked with Cobb caught for 80 soon after and Northamptonshire losing the game by 14 runs.

After the win, Worcestershire’s director of cricket Steve Rhodes said the idea, “came about when I watched MS Dhoni stand back to the spinners for India”.

“Afterwards, he said he wanted another catcher around the corner and he felt he could do that himself, standing back. That’s how it started us thinking about it.”

Although on the losing side Cobb questioned whether the move was in the spirit of the game.

“I turned around and saw him (Cox) without pads or gloves on,” he said.

“It’s in the Laws and they’ve obviously looked into it and there’s no Law against it. You’ve just got to question whether it’s in the spirit of the game.

“But that’s probably because it’s never been done before. When they first come out, these things usually get questioned and left alone.”