The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 saw some very poor fielding efforts and a lot of catches being dropped by sides, but this probably was the World Cup where few of the best catches in the World Cup history were taken.
Here are our top 5 catches:
- Ben Stokes vs. South Africa
South Africa seemed to be under pressure in chase and just as Andile Phehlukwayo wanted to release some of it, he hit a slog sweep towards deep mid-wicket region. The ball seemed to be flying over the boundary rope just as Stokes jumped and caught the ball in thin air. It was an absolute blinder to dismiss Phehlukwayo. Even the commentators couldn’t hold their excitement after the catch and kept singing praises. It was an unbelievable catch as Strokes stretched his body fully, and jumped. Commentators including the spectators were in total awe and couldn’t believe what just took place. The expression of the fans behind him were priceless.
- Sheldon Cottrell vs. Australia
Sheldon Cottrell pulled off a stunner as he managed to take the catch of former Australian captain Steve Smith. Smith hit a ball towards deep-square leg and it was flying. Cottrell, standing a little square at fine leg, came running towards the flying ball, outstretched his left hand and plucked the ball. His momentum was taking him over the rope and just at the right moment, he put the ball into the play by pushing it inside the boundary line in the air, and then by finding his body balance, came back on to the field to complete the catch comfortably. It was a perfect demonstration of athleticism from the West Indian. The fact that he made it look so simple and the way Smith was batting, this was probably one of the most important catches.
- Martin Guptill Australia
Steve Smith once again became the victim of one of the most mesmerizing catches of the tournament. Guptill was standing at short fine leg within the 30-yard circle. Smith played a hard pull shot to try and find the boundary, however, could only find Guptill’s safe pair of hands. Guptill took a one-handed blinder stretching towards his left thereby grabbing a stunner off the Lokie Ferguson.
- Steve Smith Vs. New Zealand
Steve Smith pulled off an absolutely stunning catch in the match vs New Zealand to dismiss Tom Latham. Latham flicked the ball towards short mid-wicket in wake of a boundary. He thought he had the gap, just as so many others, but no one expected Smith to make an aerial dive towards his right, the way he did, to pull off a stunning catch. It was off the ball of Mitchell Starc who wrongly got the wicket; wickets such as these should go to the fielder. Overall, it was an absolute beauty from smith and his athletic skills were on display.
- Ravindra Jadeja Vs. England
After winning the toss, England opted to bat and they were in a good position until Ravindra Jadeja arrived as a substitute fielder. Jason Roy was batting on 66 off 56 balls when he stepped out of the crease to clear the ball for six. He hit Kuldeep Yadav in the long-on region where Jadeja was stationed. Jadeja came running in, towards the ball, diving towards his left, in the front to take a brilliant catch to dismiss the dangerous Jason Roy. It really was a stunner that gave India the first break-through of the innings.
