NEW DELHI: Catches win matches is as an old adage as the game of cricket. Catches can turn matches on their heads and in this era of improved fitness levels, games are replete with instances of spectacular catches and saves.
One such catch was seen in the 1st T20I between West Indies and England at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.
England captain Jos Buttler, who was back for national duty after being sidelined for four months due to a calf injury, won the toss and put the Windies to bat first.
Saqib Mahmood’s 4/34 and Adil Rashid’s 3/32 helped England to somewhat rein in the Windies to 182/9.
Buttler came to the crease at the dismissal of Will Jacks who was clean bowled by Gudakesh Motie to put England at 73/1 after 6 overs .
Facing the fourth ball of the seventh over by Romario Shepherd, Buttler cut a short, slower delivery outside off with Motion at third-man slightly wide.
But Motie ran fast to his left and stuck out his left hand to claim a stunning catch, literally snatching it out of thin air. Motie lost his balance but held on to the ball just inches ahead of the boundary ropes.
The official broadcaster shared a video of the catch on their official X handle:
But riding on Philip Salt’s unbeaten 54-ball 103 and Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 36-ball 58, England chased down the target in just 16.5 overs to win the match by 8 wickets.
