Cricket loses it for ‘catch of the century’
Australian skipper Steve Smith pulled off one of the most spectacular slip-catchers you’ve ever seen in an absolute beating of India in the second ODI.
Smith’s decision to play first after winning the coin toss paid off early, with left-armor Mitchell Starc tearing up India’s top order as the hosts were knocked out for 117.
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The score was India’s fourth lowest at home and lowest against Australia in India. It is also the third lowest tally in games between Australia and India and took just one ball more than the nation’s 1981 capitulation for 64 in Sydney when they were dismissed in just 26 overs.
Australian openers Mitchell Marsh (66 from 36 balls) and Travis Head (51 from 30 balls) made short work of the total, dropping to 0/121 from 11 overs. It was the sixth time Australia had won an ODI by 10 wickets, and in their 10 wicket wins the most balls remaining with 234. It was also the third most balls remaining in a win Australian ODI.
The entire match lasted just 37 overs but was set up by a brilliant bowling performance.
Starc had Shubman Gill for a duck after a catch from Marnus Labuschagne before the Aussie pacemaker cleared Rohit Sharma (13), Suryakumar Yadav (0) and KL Rahul (9) to rock India at 4/48 .
But Smith would steal the show in the 10th with a superb hold to brush aside Indian superstar Hardik Pandya.
Pandya edged a long delivery from Sean Abbott into the slips cordon. Smith, who was standing in a conventional sliding second position, dove deep to his right and plucked the ball in his right hand near the ground to fire Pandya for one.
TV commentator Sanjay Manjrekar cheekily suggested it could be the ‘catch of the century’ – to which former Australian skipper Aaron Finch replied: ‘It’s not far off.
“An absolute Steve Smith blinder,” former Australian skipper Finch said on the show.
“Who needs three slips when Steve Smith is standing there?
“He’s been known over the years to take them one-handed beauties. The last game, there were a lot of those coming at his fingertips, but this one… right in the hand. He nearly catches up to him behind him – brilliant.
Former Indian rapid Ajit Agarkar added: “I don’t think he could have gone any further. This; s at full extension, one-handed, flying to his right.
“You will never tire of watching this.”
Earlier, the Aussies confirmed that David Warner’s international return has been put on hold.
The expectation was that Warner would play in both the second and third ODIs against India after suffering a broken elbow while sustaining a concussion in the Test series.
But the Australian fly-half was not named for the second ODI after being ruled with a clogged quad.
Alex Carey returned to take the gloves and replace Josh Inglis, while Glenn Maxwell was replaced by paceman Nathan Ellis.
Originally published as ‘Catch of the century’ stuns as Australia dominates India
Cricket loses it for ‘catch of the century’
