Steve Smith's 'ridiculous' feat sends cricket fans into overdrive
A moment of sheer brilliance from Steve Smith has reminded the cricket world just how good the former Australian captain is.
Smith dived at full stretch to dismiss New Zealand’s Tom Latham, a stunning feat of athleticism off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.
The catch capped an all-but perfect day in the field for Smith, who also took his first ODI wicket since 2014 in Australia’s incredible 86-run victory over the Kiwis.
Australia needed to seize every opportunity they had in the field, after a disastrous start in the first innings left them in all sorts at 5/92.
Smith’s catch rivalled an earlier, sensational effort from New Zealand’s Martin Guptill.
Guptill’s backwards, diving catch off a fiercely smacked Smith hook shot was equally impressive.
Smith had taken his first international wicket since 2016, with Colin de Grandhomme caught at long on for a golden duck, just one over earlier.
It marked an impressive comeback from Smith, who failed with the bat in tricky conditions at Lords, scoring just five runs.
Steve Smith gets dismissed by a stunning catch from Martin Guptill.
He then drops a tough chance.
How does he respond? Takes a wicket and takes an equally stunning catch.
The above is a microcosm of his cricket career since Sandpapergate.#MakeStatsGreatAgain #CWC19 #NZvAUS— Victor Tarapore (@VictorTarapore) June 29, 2019
That catch from Steve Smith surely is going in top 5 catches of #CWC19 .. absolute stunner from him..plucked a rocket..#AUSvNZ
— Yashasva Tungare (@yashasva) June 29, 2019
Steve Smith pulls off an absolute stunner, catch of the tournament! Something good ol Jonty Rhodes would be proud of. It's why I keep telling people, whatever AUS play like or where they rank, come the #WorldCup and you can never rule them out! #NZvAUS
— CloudSurfer (@absoluthavoc) June 29, 2019
What a ridiculous catch by Steve Smith
— Warden of the North (@Tumz_kby) June 29, 2019
Absolutely Stunning catch by Steve Smith to send Tom Latham back to the pavilion.#AUSvNZ #AUS now on course for a big win against New Zealand #ICCWC2019 #CWC19
— Khurram Zia Khan (@KhurramZiaKhan) June 29, 2019
Just seen Steve Smith's catch - what a ripper !! #ICCWC2019
— John Murray (@SidebySide) June 29, 2019
Starc the star of the show
Mitchell Starc now has 24 wickets for the tournament at 15.54, seven scalps clear of his nearest rival in New Zealander Lockie Ferguson on 17.
After a stellar 2015 campaign, he has joined Glenn McGrath as the only bowler to take more than 20 wickets in two separate World Cups.
Australia's best bowling attack for the finals is now clearly beginning to take shape with both Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon standing tall.
Behrendorff again took the new ball and removed both New Zealand's openers, going for just 2-31 from his nine overs.
Kept in the side after his five-wicket haul against England, he strangled Henry Nicholls down the legside and had Martin Guptill lbw.
Lyon also went for just 1-24 from his eight overs to cement his spot ahead of Adam Zampa, while Pat Cummins finished with 1-14 off six overs.
But it was Starc who started New Zealand's collapse of 8-60, as captain Aaron Finch again turned to him when Australia needed a wicket in the middle.
Brought back to break the 55-run third-wicket stand between Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, he got Williamson caught behind for 40.
