One of the most spectacular sight in a Cricket Match is to see a Fielder air borne, trying to catch the ball. Running Hard, A Full Length dive, Body few feets in Air, Arms stretched, Eyes focused on the Ball and the Jubilation that follows after the Catch !! Its Amazing !!
"Mate, you've just dropped the World Cup" was the observation of Steve Waugh to Herschelle Gibbs at Headingley in 1999 World Cup after his critical error. A casual effort can sink your team. And One stunning fielding effort can lift the entire Team. Remember the Kapil Dev's Catch to dismiss Sir Viv that triggered West Indian collapse and India won the Final. Again in 2009 T20 World Cup. Afridi ran across half the field to lift the morale of his Team and in the process dismissed Scott Styris !!
Who can forget the 'The Run-Out' by Jonty Rhodes to dismiss Inzamam in the 1992 World Cup !! It is one of the Highlight of 'Cricket History' !!
Since that 'Run-Out, Jonty Rhodes, redefined the art of fielding, and made it into the art form that it today. He was, and probably still is, the only player in the world who could draw fans on the strength of the beauty and artistry of his fielding alone. A banner that often made its appearance in grounds across the world summed it up: "Water covers 70 per cent of the earth, Jonty covers the rest." Countless times he proved why it wasn't an exaggeration, with near-impossible run saves and catches.
Here are some of those Stunning Catches Captured Beautifully by Photographers !!
Jonty Rhodes takes an incredible flying catch to dismiss Robert Croft, England v South Africa, Emirates Triangular Trophy, Edgbaston, August 18, 1998.
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s Jonty!!
This is how BBC reported it . "With his lower legs providing the spring to reach the ball, Rhodes' knees were the nearest part of him to the ground - a good three feet away from the turf as he clung on to the ball."
This is how BBC reported it . "With his lower legs providing the spring to reach the ball, Rhodes' knees were the nearest part of him to the ground - a good three feet away from the turf as he clung on to the ball."
Ricky Ponting took an amazing slip catch off Brett Lee to dismiss New Zealand batsman Jamie How, Adelaide Test , 2008
"There's obviously been a lot of great catches around since cricket has been on. Playing in games and watching a game live, that is the most amazing catch I have ever seen," Brett Lee said.
Paul Collingwood held a stunning catch to remove Ricky Ponting, Australia v England, 3rd Test, Perth, 1st day, December 16, 2010
Mike Hussey dives to pull off an outstanding catch in the deep,to dismiss Ashwell Prince Australia v South Africa, VB Series, Brisbane, January 15, 2006
One of the Landmark Catches in Recent Times.
"Colly, old chap, you've just caught the Ashes." Reported The Guardian
Andrew Strauss dives full length to dismiss Gilchrist off Flintoff in the fourth Ashes Test in 2005.
One the Great Images of that English Summer. Moments like this made that series Epic.
Mike Hussey dives to pull off an outstanding catch in the deep,to dismiss Ashwell Prince Australia v South Africa, VB Series, Brisbane, January 15, 2006
Cricinfo described it as "Hussey ran in from mid-wicket to square leg with his left hand out. He stretched a little more than one's imagination could and flung himself towards the ball. The scoreboard innocuously read Prince c Hussey b McGrath 19."
Glenn McGrath took a Stunner in the Outfield to dismiss Michael Vaughan, Fourth Day, Australia Vs England, Adelaide Oval, November 24, 2002
"Best Catch I Ever Took", said McGrath . Rightly so!!
Mark Waugh took a blinder off McGranth, in the slips to get rid of Wajahatullah Wasti, Australia v Pakistan, Final, World Cup, Birmingham, June 20, 1999.
In a World Cup Final, at Lord's, he set the tone of the match with a this stunning catch. And Pakistan were bowled out for 132 !!
Ricky Ponting pulled a stunning catch to dismiss New Zealand batsman Iain O'Brien off the bowling of Shane Warne (behind) on the fourth day of the first Test in Christchurch on Sunday, March 13, 2005
Ponting , along with Jonty and Collingwood will go down as one of the Best Fielders of the last Decade!!
Steve Smith leaped high in the air to take a amazing catch to dismiss Travis Dowlin in Australia's 2nd Twenty20 match against the West Indies at the SCG , February 23, 2010
He is definitely one of the best Fielders today . Growing in stature with every match. Showed his fielding class again in this year's IPL.!!
South African bowler Robin Peterson takes a Super catch to dismiss New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum during the Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-final in Dhaka on March 25, 2011
JP Duminy took a stunning catch against Sri Lanka in the 5th ODI at Johannesburg, Jan 22, 2012
Ben Laughlin dismisses Albie Morkel with a catch to remember, South Africa v Australia, 5th ODI, Johannesburg, April 17, 2009
Just look at the reaction of the Spectators!!
Nathan Lyon pulls off a spectacular catch to complete his five-for, Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Test, Galle, 2nd day, September 1, 2011
Dwayne Bravo pulls of a stunning caught and bowled, to dismiss Shane Warne, Australia v West Indies, 3rd Test, Adelaide, 3rd day, November 27, 2005
Dwayne Leverock takes a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa, Bermuda v India, Group B, Trinidad, March 19, 2007
And Finally one from a man well aided by Gravity !! If he can do it, Munaf Patel or anyone cant make any excuse !!
These were some of the Amazing Catches in Cricket. There have been more that missed the focus of camera, especially in the outfields. No photographer could capture Collingwood's another airborn, right-handed grab to dismiss a glum looking Hayden in 2005. That was touted as one best in the Cricket History. You can watch it here.
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