In a thrilling last-over finish to the T20 World Cup 2024 clash between England and South Africa, Aiden Markram grabbed a sensational match-winning catch to dismiss Harry Brook, guiding his team to victory. The gripping encounter took place on Friday evening at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.
Aiden Markram sprints 18 metres to pull off a blinder
England’s victory hopes hung by a thread as they required 14 runs from the final over bowled by South Africa’s fiery pacer, Anrich Nortje. Brook, the in-form batter, was on strike, and the momentum seemed to be with England. However, a sensational catch by Markram swung the match decisively in South Africa’s favour.
Brook mistimed a full delivery from Nortje, attempting a lofted shot over mid-off. The ball ballooned high into the air, but Markram, stationed at backward point, wasn’t giving up. In a breathtaking display of athleticism, he sprinted back 18 meters, judged the trajectory perfectly, and leaped to snag the catch over his shoulder, ensuring the ball wouldn’t bounce away for a boundary.
Here’s the video:
Sam Curran and Jofra Archer failed to hit a big shot on the remaining deliveries as England lost by seven runs.
Also WATCH: Jos Buttler takes a jaw-dropping catch to dismiss Quinton de Kock in ENG vs SA game | T20 World Cup 2024
Aiden Markram’s catch off Harry Brook was a big moment: Quinton de Kock
After South Africa’s second win of the Super 8 stage, wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock credited captain Markram for pulling off a jaw-dropping catch in the crunch situation of the match.
“I’ve played against enough of the England boys around the world. You get one of them get going. They’re all match winners; they can win games from anywhere. Looked like Harry [Brook] was well on the way to be doing that then obviously Aidan [Makram] just took a stunner which was a big moment for us in the context of the game,” De Kock, who was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant 38-ball 65, said in the post-match press-conference.