Australia v New Zealand: Steve Smith's blinding catch voted best in green and gold
Updated
After watching in awe as Steve Smith soared through backward point to dismiss BJ Watling at the SCG, many cricket fans wondered if they had ever seen a better catch.
So we took it to the people, and let you cast your votes from a pool of some of Australia's greatest snares. Could Smudge's horizontal, one-handed effort best Allan Border, Steve Waugh, John Dyson and Ricky Ponting?
Short answer — yes.
Captain Fantastic won in a landslide, besting Dyson and Glenn McGrath who took out the other podium spots. Those two were outfield efforts, so it seems the voting public preferred the lightning-sharp, no-reaction-time-at-all nature of Smith's reflex grab.
Smith himself said he had a good feeling as he was preparing to take the catch — exactly when he had this feeling in the 0.6 seconds it took the ball to reach him, we don't know.
"I actually had a really good feeling I was going to get that ball," Smith said.
"It was a bit bizarre. I was ready for it and it came pretty quick.
"I got into a good position. It's one of those ones that sticks or it doesn't and fortunately it stuck this time."
It is unclear if Smith also foresaw the face-full of dirt he would take after completing the catch. Judging by the smile on his face, we don't think he cared either way.
Topics: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia
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