England wicket-keeper Jos Buttler displayed his acrobatic skills on the opening day of the ongoing second Ashes Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval. Buttler turned into a ‘Superman’ to grab a sensational catch that cut short Aussie opener Marcus Harris‘ innings.
It all happened during the eight over of Australia’s first innings bowled by English seamer Stuart Broad. The right-armer went round the wicket and bowled a back of a length delivery which was drifting down the leg-stump of Harris.
The left-handed batter played the pull but had no control over it because he was well inside the line, and it carried a thick outside edge. Buttler was alert as he reacted quickly, attempted a full stretched dive to his right and took an absolute blinder to get rid of Harris.
Here’s the video:
INSANE! Buttler pulls in an all-timer behind the stumps! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/v96UgK42ce
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 16, 2021
Earlier in the game, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins was ruled out of participation due to a Covid-19 scare. On Wednesday night, Cummins had gone out for dinner in an Adelaide restaurant where someone was identified as a positive case. Cummins left immediately and informed the concerned authorities.
Fast bowler Michael Neser was added as Cummins’ replacement. And in the absence of Cummins, Steve Smith was made the stand-in captain, who won the toss and decided to bat first. Smith said it was a great honour to lead the side again and mentioned that Cummins had wished him a good luck.
“We are going to have a bat. I think you can control the game if you bat first—huge honour (to lead Australia again). Feel for Patty for missing this game. Hopefully, we can have a good week. He just wished me good luck and said, it’s your team go well. Excited for Jhye and Michael Neser,” said Smith during the toss.
