One of the most famous phrases you might have heard in the commentary during a match is, “Catches win you matches.” A reasonable catch is the total effort of good fitness, skills, timing, and techniques.
A good catch can always be a game-changing moment for both teams. It always works in the favour of the bowlers by boosting their morals and the team. In today’s fast paced time, cricket is also not behind, so quick catches are now as necessary as bowling or batting. Fielding in the slip position is one of the most challenging spots and very few players are handy with that position.
Here we have a list of a few best catches in the slip position on the field:
1. Suresh Raina: India Vs RSA
Suresh Raina has been one of the most spectacular players from India. Apart from his batting skills, he was also known for his fielding ability. As we already know slip is one of the most challenging positions for fielding but Raina has conquered it all.
In the Champions trophy 2013, during a match between India vs RSA (Republic of South Africa), Raina took a stunner catch to dismiss Collin Ingram.
2. Faf Du Plessis: Sri Lanka Vs South Africa
Francois du Plessis or Faf Du Plessis is a middle-order batter from South Africa known for his calm and composed batting and captaincy. Proteas’ one of the finest and fittest fielders, Faf, is renowned worldwide for his impeccable fielding. The former South African leader, in his international career has taken almost 100 plus catches.
During Sri Lanka’s 2017 tour against South Africa, Faf took an unbelievable catch at the slip and shook everyone.
3. Steven Smith: New Zealand Vs Australia
One of the greatest batters to ever grace the cricketing field, Steven Smith, hails from Australia and is a modern-day batting legend. He is known for his very different career turn from being a leg spinner to a batting genius. Apart from his batting, he is renowned for his fielding.
His one of career’s best catches was during New Zealand tour of Australia in 2015 in the most challenging position i.e., slip.
4. Mark Waugh: Australia Vs Pakistan
Mark Edward Waugh born in June 1965 was one of the best all-rounders from Australia. He is the brother of Steve Waugh. His batting, bowling, and fielding look effortless from the outside but we all know all the hard work and fitness that is put behind them.
He was equally good in the slips as in other positions. He took a stunning catch in a high-intensity match against Pakistan Hobart test in 1999.
5. Mahela Jayawardene: New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka
Denagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene, a Sri Lanka prodigy, was one of the most complete batters of his time. His hunger for runs made him an absolute destructive batter.
Whenever he entered the ground for batting, nobody ever doubted his skills, even when he was on the fielding side. Apart from his batting, his fielding was also top-class.
He took a stunning catch in a New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match in the slips in 2012.
6. Rahul Dravid: India Vs South Africa
The Wall of the Indian Cricket, Rahul Sharad Dravid, was known for his patience and calmness during his batting. His calm and composure resulted in flawless and incredible batting and tiring the opponent. But this right-hand batter and part-time wicket-keeper was not as composed in his fielding as he was during his batting. He is one the most outstanding fielder in the slip position.
In the year 2010, he took an incredible slip catch in the India vs South Africa match. It was also his 200th catch in cricket.
7. Ricky Ponting: Australia Vs New Zealand
Australia’s one of the most successful captains with highest win percentage and many number of centuries, Ricky Thomas Ponting was a top order batter born in December 1974. He is also considered the most fabulous batsman after Don Bradman.
Apart from his batting, he was also known for his successful fielding. In 2017, he took an unbelievable catch at the slip position against New Zealand. It was one of the best catches of his career.
8. Mark Taylor: Australia Vs West Indies
A greater slip fielder, opening batter and a fantastic captain, Mark Taylor was a complete all-rounder for his team. He holds the record of most catches in an innings. That just, defines how much exceptional fielder he was. His favourite position was slips, which is one of the most challenging positions especially in test cricket.
In the year 1996, Mark took an amazing catch in the slips in the game Australia vs. West Indies.
9. Virat Kohli: India Vs Australia
India’s one of the most ambitious and legendary players, Virat Kohli, has ticked all the boxes in cricket. When it comes to hunger for runs and wins, there is no one like him, which makes him a once-in-a-generation player. His only goal is to score as many runs possible for his team.
He has truly transformed and redefined not only Indian cricket but also cricket worldwide. He is an incredible batter, bowler, and fielder, and if there necessary, he can also keep the wickets.
In 2019, to dismiss Peter Handscomb, Virat took a stunning catch in slip in the India vs Australia second-day test match.
10. Andrew Strauss: The Ashes
Sir Andrew John Strauss was a former English batter and he was the director of cricket. He took a Superman catch in the slips in the Ashes 2005 to dismiss Adam Gilchrist in the 4th test. He holds the record for the most number of catches by any England fielder. He led his team to two victories in the Ashes.
He is also considered one of the greatest captains of the England Cricket Team. After he retired from international cricket, he became an administrator and charity worker. He has a foundation after his wife’s name i.e., Ruth Strauss Foundation.