Steve Smith's screamer in opening ODI against New Zealand an all-time classic catch

Updated

Steve Smith has had a day out in Australia's 68-run win in the first one-day international against New Zealand at the SCG, both with the bat and in the field.

He started Sunday's series opener with a pivotal century to help Australia recover from 4-92 to 324 at the end of 50 overs — a total that proved 68 runs beyond the tourists — but what happened in the next innings was arguably more impressive.

With New Zealand starting to accelerate towards the target in the 25th over, BJ Watling tried a cut backward of point.

The Australian-born wicketkeeper hit his stroke cleanly and well wide of the Aussie skipper, but Smith flung himself to his left and snaffled one of the best catches of all time, in his off hand no less.

But where does it rank in the pantheon of great moments in Australian cricket history? Internationals only, so no Adam Dale. Vote in our poll.

Steve Smith - vs England, 2015

Rather than measure Smith against anyone else, why not just put him side by side with another of his own ridiculous efforts?

Smith opened Australia's victorious 2015 World Cup campaign with a freakish catch at short cover to get rid of Jos Buttler.

Steve Waugh - vs West Indies, 1989

You've seen it. You love it.

Steve Waugh's catch would have been good enough on its own, but the presence of the sightscreen and Merv Hughes inexplicably bearing down on him made it an immortal moment.

Tony Greig's commentary is also a real highlight.

John Dyson - vs West Indies, 1982

To the Test arena we go and it is the one we all knew was coming.

It is certainly no longer a lock for all-time greatest catches, but John Dyson's outfield screamer made him a household name and the former goalkeeper's effort to remove Sylvester Clarke at the SCG is still great viewing.

Ricky Ponting - vs New Zealand, 2008

One of history's greatest batsmen, Ricky Ponting should be in every conversation for best fielders too.

This grab, to remove New Zealand's Jamie How, was a stunner. Getting a hand to it on the dive was good and getting it to stick was great, but keeping it stuck when his outstretched elbow hit the ground was freakish.

Glenn McGrath - vs England, 2002

Fast bowlers don't often get on these lists, but Glenn McGrath's diving grab to send Michael Vaughan on his way during the 2002/03 Ashes series was truly spectacular.

He made great ground across the Adelaide Oval outfield to get to it and the dive was perfectly timed, then came the rebound from left to right hand that was probably a little lucky, but still a cracking effort.

Allan Border - vs New Zealand, 1985

Allan Border carried Australia through arguably the roughest patch in the country's cricketing history.

Usually he did it with the bat, but he was still keeping crowds engage without the willow, as this catch against the Kiwis proves.

Your call...

Obviously there are plenty of others, but which is your favourite?

Topics: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted