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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Ben Stokes lauded for 'greatest catch of all time' as England beat South Africa

Ben Stokes made a stunning catch in England's Cricket World Cup opening win with South Africa.

The hosts beat South Africa by 104 runs at the Oval as Stokes shone with the bat and ball, but it was his work in the field that caught the headlines.

Andile Phehlukwayo looked to have hit Adil Rashid's ball for a six before an incredible reach from Stokes at deep midwicket.

The England star launched himself through the air and managed to catch the ball one-handed before kicking it away and celebrating in front of the Oval crowd.

Sky Sports commentator Nasser Hussain was full of praise for Stokes and branded the catch the 'greatest of all time'.

The former England captain said: "No way! No, no way! You cannot do that Ben Stokes!"

England's Ben Stokes catching out South Africa's Andile Phehlukwayo (PA)
England's Ben Stokes catches the ball (PA)

"That is remarkable, that is one of the greatest catches of all time! You cannot do that."

Legendary Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara added: "It is unbelievable stuff. You have to see it to believe it. It has happened too quick for everyone here.

"It was travelling but it is the best I have seen for a long time."

Those comments were echoed by Phil Tuffnell, who was reporting on the World Cup opener for BBC's Test Match Special and branded it the 'catch of the century'.

England's Ben Stokes celebrates (PA)
England's Ben Stokes celebrates with teammates (AFP/Getty Images)

On the catch, Stokes said: "I panicked a bit, I was a little bit too far in.

"I shouldn't have been there! It would have been a routine catch if I was in the right position."

England set South Africa a total of 311 in the World Cup opener with Stokes scoring an impressive 89.

England's Ben Stokes is congratulated (AFP/Getty Images)

Jonny Bairstow was caught behind off the second delivery of the match but Stokes helped England to 311-8, with Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy and Joe Root all reaching their half centuries.

England were made to wait for the breakthrough with the ball but Jofra Archer soon getting to work, taking three wickets in his World Cup debut.

Stokes had the final say too as he got the last two wickets, bowling Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada to claim the victory for England.

You can read Ben Stokes' thoughts throughout the tournament with his exclusive column on Mirror Sport.

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