Catching the ball well is really important in cricket. It can change how a game goes, no matter if it’s a short or long match. When a team catches the ball amazingly, it can boost their confidence.
Each year, players seem to get better at catching and fielding in cricket. Every team now has coaches just for fielding, showing how much catching matters in the sport.
In 2022, there were some great batting and bowling moments in cricket worldwide. But there were also some incredible catches that made watching the games even more exciting.
Let’s remember five of the best catches from international cricket.
5. Virat Kohli – India against Bangladesh
Virat Kohli dropped several catches during the Dhaka Test against Bangladesh. However, in the first ODI, he made a fantastic catch to dismiss Shakib Al Hasan who had scored 29 runs.
During the match in Mirpur, Bangladesh was chasing 187 runs to win and had lost three wickets with 74 runs on the board. Shakib, an all-rounder, was leading Bangladesh’s charge towards victory with his batting.
In the 24th over of the match, Shakib tried to hit a difficult shot off Indian off-spinner Washington Sundar. He didn’t connect properly and Kohli, positioned at extra cover, jumped to his right and caught the ball with one hand in an impressive move. Earlier in the day, Kohli himself was dismissed by a brilliant catch from Litton Das.
Despite Kohli’s remarkable catch, Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz (38*) guided his team to a thrilling one-wicket victory, overshadowing Kohli’s efforts.
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4. Tristan Stubbs – South Africa against England
Young South African cricketer Tristan Stubbs showed his amazing skills during a match against England in Southampton. In the game, England was struggling to chase a score of 192 runs to win. When the score was 59 runs for three wickets in the 10th over, Stubbs made a spectacular catch that stunned the English team even more.
Moeen Ali, an England player, tried to hit the ball off Aiden Markram towards the long-off, but he hit it awkwardly, sending the ball high into the air towards the off-side. Stubbs, positioned slightly wider than usual near midwicket, sprinted towards the ball, which seemed to be out of his reach. However, he jumped at the right moment and managed to catch the ball with one hand, making an incredible catch with his left hand.
Despite England’s efforts, they kept losing wickets and eventually could only score 101 runs in 16.4 overs. South Africa won the match comfortably by 90 runs.
3. Glenn Phillips – New Zealand against Sri Lanka
Glenn Phillips from New Zealand scored a great hundred in a T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka. Earlier, he made a fantastic catch to dismiss Marcus Stoinis in the tournament’s first game.
Australia was chasing a target of 201 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They lost their first three batsmen with only 34 runs scored. Stoinis, who struggled to score quickly, attempted a big shot but was caught out.
In the ninth over of Australia’s innings, Stoinis tried to hit Mitchell Santner towards deep extra cover but mistimed his shot. Phillips judged the play perfectly and caught the ball mid-air with an impressive leap.
New Zealand won the match comfortably by 89 runs. Devon Conway was awarded the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 92 runs off 58 balls.
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2. Deandra Dottin – West Indies Women against England Women
Deandra Dottin of the West Indies Women’s team made an amazing catch to get England Women’s opener Lauren Winfield-Hill out during the seventh match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 at University Oval in Dunedin.
West Indies had set a target of 226 runs for England to chase. Dottin’s catch boosted her team’s morale early in the game. The catch happened on the first ball of the ninth over, bowled by Shamilia Connell. The ball was short and wide, and Winfield-Hill tried to hit it hard, hoping to score runs.
Dottin was positioned at backward point and she leaped into the air, timing her dive perfectly. She stretched out her hand and caught the ball in mid-air with just one hand, which was a stunning play.
In the end, England couldn’t quite reach their target, getting bowled out for 218 runs in 47.4 overs, falling short by eight runs.
1. Roelof van der Merwe – Netherlands against South Africa
In the T20 World Cup 2022, Roelof van der Merwe, a left-handed spinner from the Netherlands, made an incredible catch. South Africa needed to beat the Netherlands to reach the semi-finals of the ICC event. However, they struggled to chase a target of 159 runs.
David Miller was South Africa’s last hope. In the 16th over of their innings, Miller tried to hit a short ball but didn’t connect well. The ball went high towards backward square leg. Despite the sun shining directly in his eyes, van der Merwe ran backwards and focused on the ball.
Van der Merwe, playing against his former team, managed to catch the ball brilliantly. Miller was out for 17 runs, and South Africa couldn’t recover. They finished at 145/8, losing by 13 runs and missing out on the semi-finals of the tournament.
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