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During the Super 8 match between England and South Africa at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, England captain Jos Buttler pulled off a remarkable catch to dismiss the dangerous South African opener, Quinton de Kock.
Jos Buttler’s stunning catch
On the fifth ball of the 12th over, Jofra Archer bowled a short delivery outside off, disguising it with a slower pace. De Kock, attempting to cut the ball, got an outside edge. The ball flew rapidly to the left of England’s captain, Buttler. Demonstrating remarkable agility and reflexes, Buttler launched himself into a full-length dive and, with an outstretched arm, secured a sensational one-handed catch. This extraordinary display of athleticism not only showcased Buttler’s exceptional wicketkeeping skills but also shifted the momentum in England’s favour.
Here’s the video:
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Quinton de Kock’s explosive start
Before his dismissal, De Kock gave South Africa a fierce start. Initially cautious, he scored just one run off the first three balls. However, he soon launched an aggressive assault on the English bowlers. In the second over, he smashed Moeen Ali for a boundary and a six. He continued his aggressive approach against Jofra Archer, pulling a short delivery over fine leg for a six and sending a fullish ball over long-on for another maximum. He also guided a short ball towards third man for a boundary. His opening partner, Reeza Hendricks, joined the onslaught, helping South Africa score 21 runs in that over.
De Kock reached his half-century off just 22 balls, marking the second-fastest fifty of the tournament. His aggressive innings faced a potential near end when he slog-swept Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood caught him at deep square leg. Nevertheless, the on-field umpire referred the catch to the third umpire, who ruled that the ball had touched the ground. Thus, De Kock was allowed to continue.
South Africa’s middle-order collapse
De Kock was eventually dismissed for 65 off 38 balls by Archer, with Buttler taking the brilliant catch later in the Proteas innings. His innings included four fours and four sixes, setting a solid foundation for South Africa. Nonetheless, after De Kock’s fall, South Africa experienced a mini-collapse. They lost aggressive hitter Heinrich Klaasen and captain Aiden Markram in quick succession, plunging into a crisis.
In the crucial final overs, veteran David Miller and young talent Tristan Stubbs stabilized the innings. Their partnership added vital runs, taking South Africa to a respectable total of 163/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Their efforts ensured that South Africa remained competitive despite the earlier setbacks.
