The Greatest Catch Ever?

All sports commentators exaggerate, especially when a fielder takes an outstanding catch. Usually it is the catches that look good on television but actually require little real skill that commentators waste their superlatives on. Mark Ramprakash's catch to dismiss Phil Simmonds at Headingley in 1991 looked brilliant on television, not least because he used both hands whilst diving at full stretch. However, those of us who play the game know that these catches tend to be more instinctive than skillful. Even if the catch is dropped the fielder will be applauded for his effort.

The hardest catches are the ones which require a fielder, who will be walking in with the bowler, to run backwards and take the catch over his left or right shoulder. It requires excellent judgement to be able to cover the necessary ground and still keep your eye on the ball. There will be no plaudits for the fielder. The more experienced will either console or congratuale with the words: "that was harder than it looked."

I have never seen a finer catch than the one taken by Hussey to dismiss Prince in today's One Day International between Australia and South Africa. From his position at mid-wicket he turned chased and then dived full length to take the ball left handed, inches from the turf.

The result, a South African victory, will probably obscure the greatness of this catch; but those who truly love and understand the game know what they witnessed.