New Zealand’s own Twenty20 competition may have upstaged the Big Bash League in Australia, with an amazing catch by Central Stags’ Bevan Small and Michael Mason. Watch New Zealand’s, and possibly cricket’s all-time great catch on video.
Brad Wilson, of Northern Districts, smashes what looks to be a certain six off bowler Tarun Nethula.
Central Stags’ Bevan Small launches himself in the air, backwards, to grab the ball and take the catch – in itself a tremendous effort.
However, in a split-second he realises that if he lands over the boundary rope, it will result in a six rather than a wicket for his team. Remarkably, he manages to fling the ball upwards before hitting the ground, with teammate Michael Mason on hand to grab the ball and complete a thrilling catch.
The real injustice? The official score-card doesn’t mention Bevan Small, it just says “caught, Mason”.
Watch the YouTube video of Bevan Smalls and Michael Mason completing the catch below
Happy Hooker
Guest
So what if they do? What's that got to do with being in the air beyound the rope with ball in hand?
MrKistic
Guest
Fairly sure the MCC's laws of cricket pre-date metres of spare boundary area outside the rope. I'd love to see someone jump the height of the fence and lob it back before impaling themselves on the 2nd row seats though.
Happy Hooker
Guest
Yes, he did throw the ball back from beyond the boundary, but he hadn't touched the ground or anything beyond the boundary before getting rid of the ball, so its all OK. So, who is wrong? Does the MCC have the Laws of Cricket wrong, or is it you?
Jay
Guest
Merge the NZ first class and the Sheffield Shield. Mutually benefically for both the Aussies and NZers.
Brett McKay
Expert
and what would that do for NZ's own T20 comp, Johnno?? Don't they have as much right to run a comp as Australia??
Redb
Roar Guru
Great 'team' catch and quick thinking by Bevan, he appears to have caught it (controlled it) but knows he will land outside the boundary and flicks it to Mason. Good stuff.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Im surprised this wasnt done from the outset to be honest.
betamax
Roar Guru
Pity about the camera work.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
You know its been a special catch when it takes not one but two dives to bring it in!
Johnno
Guest
Some NZ T20 teams have to come into the big bash next year, great for tv ratings, and a win for CA and cricket in NZ $$$$. Put 1 team from auckland the other from wellington, and even a 3rd form christchurch easy as.
Andyc
Roar Rookie
Been some great catches in 20/20 games, several by Stephen Smith of NSW but none as good as this. However I'm going to be a spoil sport and say that it looks like he tapped the ball back from over the rope and it should be six whether the fieldsman hits the ground with ball in hand or not.
Brett McKay
Expert
thanks Eds..
Brett McKay
Expert
not where I am today, KotGs - on YouTube, edit:
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
have you got a link for that one Brett?
Spiro Zavos
Expert
I reckon Bevan Small has played some rugby as a second-rower as he caught/tapped the ball while in the air to Michael Mason just like, say, Ali Williams, except he didn't have the luxury of being lifted. This was certainly one of the great catches. It's useful to think, too, that the catch wouldn't have been made or even contemplated if a fence had marked the boundary line. So there is some benefit from having shorter boundaries with the boundary line being moved in from the fence.
The Grafter
Guest
That was brilliant. I think Mason is 37-38 now, so top effort by him to support. I cant recall any better than that.
Brett McKay
Expert
Outstanding... And this is top on Test batsman Martin Guptil being caught last week by former Black Cap Craig McMillan, who was sitting in an open-air commentary box AND broadcasting at the time!!