Mitchell Starc’s incredible grab to dismiss England’s Zak Crawley has left cricket fans in awe – with Aussie legend Matthew Hayden describing it as the best catch he’s ever seen from a fast bowler.
The left-arm quick stretched out at full length across the pitch to latch onto a poor stroke from Crawley, dismissing him for a duck as he bowled his first over in the tourists’ second innings Test in Perth.
Starc also took the opener’s scalp for a duck in his first over in the Three Lions’ first innings, but his effort on Saturday was far more spectacular.
Hayden, who starred in 103 Tests for Australia during the country’s golden era in the 2000s, couldn’t believe his eyes as he commentated for Channel Seven.
‘That’s the best catch I think I have ever seen off a fast bowler,’ Hayden told viewers.
‘You imagine the athletic ability of that, screaming into the wicket and then having to pivot on his left leg and take that.
Pictured: Mitchell Starc stretches out at full length to dismiss Zak Crawley with a catch that has to be seen to be believed
Commentators and fans were amazed at the bowler’s athleticism as he somehow managed to stop any part of the ball touching the ground
Starc (pictured reacting after getting Crawley out) recorded career-best figures of 7-58 in England’s first innings
‘That’s phenomenal athletic ability right there.’
Starc’s grab was reviewed by the third umpire to ensure he had his hand under the ball at all times, with replays proving he had somehow managed to keep it entirely off the ground – although English fans at Perth Stadium loudly booed the decision.
‘Wow, that is a great catch!’ Aussie great Mark Waugh said in commentary.
‘Very difficult for a big, tall quick bowler to all of a sudden stop in his tracks and move sharply to his left.
‘That is a tremendous effort, and to keep the ball above the ground too.’
Fans were left stunned by the wicket, which left England struggling at the start of their innings.
‘Mitchell Starc isn’t just participating in this Test match; he is owning it. That catch was a glitch in the matrix. Unbelievable,’ one wrote.
‘Mitchell Starc, you superstar! An absolutely exceptional catch that has left the commentators – and everyone watching – in complete and utter AWE!’ added another.
Pictured: Samples of the online reaction to Starc’s incredibly athletic catch
Another commenter echoed Hayden by asking, ‘Was that the greatest return catch in Test cricket?’
The amazing scenes followed Starc recording career-best figures of 7-58 in England’s first innings as he dismissed Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood.
However, Australia’s batting line-up lost the advantage the left-arm quick handed them as they fell for 132 not out in a shambolic display, with Usman Khawaja’s absence from the opening pairing proving an embarrassing lowlight.
Khawaja, 38, was blasted by Aussie cricket fans when it was reported that he played 18 holes of golf on Thursday, then suffered back spasms on Friday that took him off the field for so long that he was prevented from joining debutant Jake Weatherald at the crease at the start of Australia’s innings.
