Melbourne Renegades star Jake Fraser-McGurk produced one of the best catches in Big Bash League history as he displayed his incredible athleticism to somehow claim the scalp of his opponent..
While the Ashes is dominating the headlines at present, with Australia in a dominant position after day of the first Test, Fraser-McGurk has grabbed the limelight himself for his Big Bash League heroics.
After Jake Weatherald smashed a shot towards deep mid-wicket, the 19-year-old cricket star jumped into the air and snatched the ball with his outstretched right hand.
Adelaide Strikers’ batsman Weatherald sweetly struck the ball off Zahir Khan’s delivery and the ball soared low and hard. It appeared destined to fly over Fraser-McGurk’s head for six, only for the teenager to somehow adjust and haul the ball in to dismiss Weatherald for just 18 runs.
The commentators were amazed by the spectacular catch and labelled it as one of the greatest ever outfield catches.
“What a catch!” former Australian fast bowler Brendon Julian said on Fox Cricket. “Unbelievable. Fraser-McGurk with a one-hand screamer on the boundary.
“We are going to see that catch replayed right throughout the whole summer.
“That is one of the best I’ve seen. The youngster takes a screamer on the boundary. He’s taken a hanger.”
Ex-Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin echoed the sentiment of Julian, and said Fraser-McGurk’s perfectly timed leap was similar to an AFL player taking a mark.
“That’s one of the best outfield catches you’ll ever see,” Haddin said.
“One hand. What a catch. He’s set up like an Aussie rules mark. He’s come in, he’s timed his jump to perfection and that’s just great athleticism.”
Viewers were in disbelief at Fraser-McGurk’s incredible feat, with many already declaring there won’t be a better catch taken during this year's tournament.
What did you make of Jake Fraser-McGurk's catch? Let us know in the comments section.
After @ripdevcric took to Twitter to suggest it was the catch of the tournament, another user - @jooce8819 - corrected him: “*of the summer”.
@ImranProsecuter) was also stunned, writing: “Superb... Looks like he grabbed it with some magic.”
ChloeAmandaB) simply wrote: “What. A. Catch! #BBL11” along with a clip of the moment.
Fortunately, Fraser-McGurk’s incredible catch wasn’t in vain either. The Renegades posted a total of 153 but it went down to the wire in the run chase, with the Strikers falling just three runs short of the total.
