On Day 2 of the ongoing the second Test between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne, Henry Nicholls grabbed a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Australian star batsman Steve Smith.
It all happened on the fourth delivery of the 105th over when Smith was caught in an awkward position while facing a bouncer from the Kiwi pacer Neil Wagner. In a sight which didn’t happen for the first time in the match, Wagner eventually got the big wicket of Smith this time round.
With the former Aussie skipper in no position to duck the ball, he gloved it to Nicholls at gully. Not getting too excited about the chance, the fielder kept his calm to judge the catch to perfection with his backward running jump, and the plucked the ball with his fingertips.
Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 22nd over on Day 1, Smith ended up scoring 85 (242) with the help of eight fours and a six. It is worth mentioning that Smith has been dismissed by Wagner on all three occasions in the series so far.
✈ We have takeoff! ✈
A flying Henry Nicholls takes a screamer in the gully to remove Steve Smith! @bet365_aus | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/SlCDEWXNSY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2019
On a scale of 😲 to 😱, how much will you rate this catch from Henry Nicholls? #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/plYKihwi4z
— ICC (@ICC) December 27, 2019
Australia sits in a strong position in the match, having scored 467 runs in their first innings. At the same time, the Kiwis struggled to pick wickets at regular intervals despite Trent Boult providing the breakthrough in the very first over.
