Top 10 catches of the year 2016

Catches win matches. It really is that simple when it comes to the fielders holding onto their catches. In recent times, we as cricket viewers have seen the biggest extremes in cricket. These extremes include players with extraordinary fielding skills while there are the others with outrageous fielding acumen, to say the least. In addition, the fact of the matter remains that fielding and catching has improved to such an extent that it is rather common for a fielder to hold onto his catches. And in 2016, we have perhaps seen some of the most outrageous catches taken as well. That said, here are some of the best catches in the Top 10 catches of 2016. Shane Watson v India, World T20 Shane Watson. (Photo Source: Twitter) At the age of 34, Shane Watson called it quits from all forms of cricket. Of course, it was a bit early and caught a few people a bit off guard, but he was a quality player no less. This quality was there for all to see when the Aussies played the Indians in the PCA Stadium in Mohali. While the encounter was invigorating for one and all with Virat Kohli playing an absolute cracker of an innings, Shane Watson will keep the match close to his heart despite a loss when he caught Yuvraj Singh and gave Australia a great chance of making it to the semi-finals of the World T20. Watto used every bit of his 34 years to run back and catch the ball when a small portion of the viewers gave him a chance of doing so. Watch the video here Joe Root v Sri Lanka, World T20 Joe Root. (Photo Source: ICC) Joe Root’s impressive catch against the Sri Lankans is still one of those things that lingers in the minds of the English to this day. It is also not every day that an Englishman takes a wicket or two when it comes to plying his trade in the field. Root’s batting was a certain takeaway and it was also something that brought them within touching distance of a second World T20 title. When Dasun Shanaka decided to take a swipe at the uncanny Chris Jordan, it was clear that it was not the best idea in the world. The Lankans needed 17 runs to win of 10 deliveries and then there was Joe Root. The latter dived to his left and completed a howler of a catch as the Lankans said their goodbyes and boarded the early plane home as the English moved into the semi-finals where they faced up to the might of the Kiwis. Watch the video here Hardik Pandya v Pakistan, World T20 Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: Twitter) When Hardik Pandya made it to the scene in early 2016, it was clear that there was a certain swag factor involved. Of course, it was not the same swag that was carried by the great Sir Viv, but it was enough to get the crowd going as far as the broader horizons of the average Indian fan was concerned. The 23-year-old’s fielding has been another impressive aspect. It was a Suresh Raina delivery shorter in length and Sharjeel Khan decided to hit it in the air on the on-side. The ball hit the bat a bit high and was never going to travel the distance. Pandya who was in the deep had to run in a few yards to get anywhere near the ball. He not only managed that but also pocketed the ball. He bumped his face in the ground rolled over from head to hips but still didn’t let the ball go. He completed an impressive catch and was highly appreciated for his effort. Watch the video here Zeeshan Maqsood v Ireland, World T20 Oman. (Photo Source: Twitter) Prior to his catch to dismiss Paul Stirling, Zeeshan Maqsood was a regular office worker in Dubai. Of course, he was also contracted by the UAE Cricket Board, but the cricketer always remained. His catch not only brought light to what was a glum opening to the World T20 competition as well as the fact that it can be in contention for the catch of the year. Diving away to his left, the ball simply stuck in his hand, something that certainly does not happen every day. Even he looked shell shocked as did Stirling and half of the Dharamsala crowd. It was an acrobatic effort, something that most fielders to this day do not boast of. Watch the video here Steve Smith v New Zealand, Chappell-Hadlee Series Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter) At 27, Steve Smith does not look like your regular archetypical Australian skipper. He has a certain kindness to his demeanor coupled with a distinct sparkle in his eye, something that is certainly unmissable. While Smith is a distinguished fielder, some of the catches that stick to his hand are simply a treat to watch, just the one he took to dismiss BJ Watling at the Sydney Cricket Ground was just that. Positioned at point, Watling perhaps thought that it would be an ease to place the cut in between gully and point. However, this proved to be a bridge too far as the Aussie skipper’s left-hand came to the fore as Watling had to make his way back to the pavilion. Watch the video here Ben Stokes v India, England’s tour of India Ben Stokes. (Photo Source: BCCI) Ben Stokes was perhaps one of the only few players in the England cricket team’s contingent who had somewhat of a decent outing and showed some intent during the Test series. In spite of the 4-0 loss at the hands of the Indians in the series, there would be one souvenir that Stokes would take with him back to England would be the catch to dismiss Virat Kohli will perhaps be precisely that. With the Indian skipper batting on 167, he seemed as though he was going to turn it into a big one. However, Adil Rashid and Ben Stokes had other ideas as Rashid seemingly invited the drive from Kohli who obliges as Stokes completed a stunning catch at first slip. And Kohli like others couldn’t believe it. Watch the video here Ravindra Jadeja v England, England’s tour of India Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter) Ravindra Jadeja is without a doubt one of the best fielders in the world. While we speak about the Indians and their improvement in their fielding in recent times, Jadeja is the best epitome of the same aforementioned statement. The southpaw has impressed with some impressive catches in recent times, but the one that dismissed Jonny Bairstow on the final day of the 5th Test match at Chepauk is certainly one of the best in the year in Test matches. When Kapil Dev completed the catch in the 1983 World Cup final, it was clear that the Indians had crossed a threshold when it came to their fielding. However, Jadeja made one and all proud as he rolled back the years to complete a similar catch once again. Watch the video here Trent Boult v Australia, Trans-Tasman Trophy Trent Boult is one of the best bowlers in the world. What is the most impressive aspect of the entire ordeal is the fact that he gets on with his business with little or no fuss. However, this was certainly not the case when he caught Mitchell Marsh off his own bowling and looked absolutely shocked when he completed the catch. Whilst Marsh batted on naught, a wonderful delivery from Boult ensured that the ball scooped back to him. This ensured that Boult would hang onto the ball whilst completing the catch, thereby making it one of the best catches in Test matches in 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sLHLKvfCB0 Manish Pandey v Australia, India tour of Australia (Photo Source: Twitter) When Manish Pandey was drafted into the Indian squad, it was on the pretext that he was not just a reliable middle-order batsman but also a tremendous fielder. For the exactly same reason, Pandey is usually stationed at the point and gully regions. Another such occasion when Pandey completed a catch of Glenn Maxwell while stationed at square leg. Whilst diving away to his right, Pandey completed an impressive catch, something that will certainly linger in his mind for the years to come. Watch the video here Yasir Shah v West Indies, West Indies tour of the UAE While Yasir Shah has a few wickets to his name when it comes to plying his trade with the ball, the 30-year-old is a livewire in the field. This preceding his impressive catch to dismiss skipper Alastair Cook in the Test series in England that saw Pakistan move up to the world number one spot in the Test match rankings. However, this one came when Darren Bravo chipped one straight back to Yasir Shah as they played with the Pink ball in Sharjah. When he completed a catch with his left hand, it was clear that Bravo had literally thrown the game away. It was quite a dicey situation as the Windies would go on to win the game eventually.

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