There is a famous phrase in cricket that goes by ‘Catches win Matches’ and is often used by commentators mostly in those cricket games that are won due to catches taken at the right time and not dropped. But it’s not always the case. Matches have been lost despite dismissals through catches and matches have been won when catches were dropped. It is really a matter of luck which none can control
Often times a catch that doesn’t find a safe hand does not cause much damage to the team. But in cricket history, the opposite has happened in certain instances. In such cases, a slipped ball, due to miscalculation of angle or due to pressure, has given a new life to the batsman who has then wreaked havoc on the bowlers. Matches are often entirely changed when this happens. This article sheds light on the five most expensive catch-drops in the history of cricket.
5. Ashley Giles drops Ricky Ponting- The Ashes
If there is a Test series that gets the most hype and makes the cricket fans really excited, it’s the Ashes. Often played every alternate year or two, the series consists of Five Test matches between England and Australia. The game and the players are often put under a lot of scrutinies and the series is the most-watched one in cricket.
In the Ashes games of 2006/2007, a high-pressure second game was underway between the opponents in Adelaide. Batting first, England had amassed a massive 551 runs. Australia’s first inning did not have a very desired start. They were 65/3 when Ricky Ponting hit a massive one at the deep square leg where Ashley Giles was safely positioned to welcome the ball. To his dismay, he dropped a very straightforward catch and Poting got another chance.
The dropped catch seemingly gave new confidence to the Aussie batter who then went on to hit 142 runs. His inning along with Michael Clarke’s 124 gave Australia a huge boost. They eventually went on to win the match.
4. Martin Guptill’s new life courtesy Marlon Samuels- World Cup 2015
This is one catch drop that Martin Guptill will never forget and Marlon Samuels will always regret. Even though both teams, New Zealand and West Indies did not win the World Cup of 2015, but since humans have this innate feature of pondering over if and buts, Samuels must’ve pondered over this incident many times because what heart-break would it be to make it to the quarter-finals of a mega event and then get eliminated.
In the ICC World Cup of 2015, New Zealand was facing West Indies in the tournament’s third quarter-final. The Kiwis had won the toss and chose to bat first. Martin Guptill who played as an opener was on four runs when he hit a short cover and Samuels was perfectly placed there. What seemed like a straightforward catch was dropped by the fielder. In the second life he was given, the black caps opener went on to score a massive 237 his highest in World Cup and Team New Zealand lodged 393 runs.
In reply, the West Indians could only score 250 runs with a 61 run contribution from Chris Gayle. Unfortunately, the maroon caps lost the match and were eliminated from the event. New Zealand then faced Australia in the final and the latter won by seven wickets.
3. Sarfaraz get dropped by Thisara Parera- Champion’s Trophy 2017
Champion’s Trophy 2017 holds a special place for the Pakistan cricket team and the entire Pakistani nation. And if not all, some credit goes to this dropped catch by Thisera Parera that handed Pakistan a much-needed win and that eventually led Pakistan to its victory. Though Parera is a good fielder overall and has taken 62 catches in his career this particular time he wasn’t that lucky.
It was the 12th match of group stages and Pakistan had locked horns with Sri Lanka. Winning the toss, Pakistan chose to field first. The opposition put on a great show with the bat and registered 236 runs before they were bowled out in the last over. For Pakistan’s inning with the bat, their struggle began after the openers lost their wickets. When the captain came to bat, he stood his ground. At 38 runs, Sri Lanka found this golden opportunity to take his wicket through a catch, but Parera dropped the dolly giving the skipper a new life.
The dropped catch proved to be a turning point for Pakistan. Sarfaraz then scored 61 runs and scripted victory for his side. Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals and eventually managed to save themselves a spot in the final. Team Pakistan then went on to comprehensively beat India in the final and registered a historic Champion’s Trophy win.
2. Herschelle Gibbs drops Steve Waugh’s Catch- World Cup 1999
Of all the dropped catches, this one probably hurt the most as it crushed South Africa’s dream of winning the World Cup that year. The ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the biggest cricket events and with so much competition around, it isn’t easy winning it. And in 1999, it wasn’t South Africa’s time to win.
It was the super six clash between South Africa and Australia. The former took to the game in a comfortable manner since they had already secured a position for themselves in the semi-finals. But for the Kangaroos it was a do-or-die situation and they were desperately seeking a victory to brighten up their chances for the semis.
The Proteas won the toss and decided to bat first. They managed a 271/7 and were confident of bagging another win. When it was Australia’s turn to bat, they started off with a shaky start. .their openers lost their wickets on 5 runs each. It was Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh whose batting began to stabilize Australia a bit. In the 31st over, the African side found a chance to break the partnership and steer the match in their favour when Waugh flicked a delivery towards the mid-wicket region. Gibbs was standing there ready to welcome the ball and he did momentarily, but in a celebration gone awry, he dropped the catch and the captain stayed.
The skipper registered his century comprising of 120 runs to safely take the Australian’s home. The Kangaroos toppled Zimbabwe to reach the semi-finals and were face to face with the Proteas again. This time though, the scores got levelled and on the basis of the match between the two, played four days prior it was decided that Australia would move to the finals. They won the match from Pakistan and took the Cup home.
1. Sachin Tendulkar gets dropped by Abdul Razzaq- World Cup 2003
The Pakistan v India match is always a high-voltage game and it doesn’t remain a game, it becomes an emotion. People of the two neighbouring countries and even all the cricketing nations are glued to the television and for a few moments, it seems like the entire world stops when the two teams are playing.
This game between India and Pakistan was no different. The toss went in Pakistan’s favour and they thought batting first would work for them and momentarily it did. They decorated the scoreboard with 273 runs with a wonderful 101 off 126 from Saeed Anwar. In reply to the score, India had not the best start. Sachin Tendulkar was on 35 runs when he launched the ball at the mid-off. Even though Razzak was deployed there and could easily take the catch but unluckily dropped it. The Indian legend took this opportunity and administered marvellous 75 balls 98 runs to secure it for his team.
And in a typical Indian cricket fashion, they won the match with the help of contributions from others. They achieved the target in the 46th over to seal the deal for their country. India managed to qualify for the final by beating Kenya in the semis. But they could not bring the luck into the finals that they’ve been carrying throughout the tournament. They locked horns with Australia in the final and the Kangaroos claimed a comprehensive victory over their opponents to win yet another World Cup trophy.
These are some of the many dropped catches that have changed the entire structure of the game. Sometimes the fielders come under pressure, especially in crucial games. It is imperative for all the players on the field to maintain a calm attitude and to keep their nerves in check. They have to be at the best of their concentration with a high level of alertness to dodge away any distractions coming from the crowd especially.
Also, Read: Players with the most number of catches in ODIs and T20Is
