5 best catches in Test cricket
Test cricket is a form of the game in which, under normal circumstances, the opposition must be dismissed twice if a team has to win the game. In such a game, wickets are paramount and fielding teams almost always set attacking fields in order to pick up wickets. Although batsmen are cautious, the higher number of the catching fielders means that the possibility of taking catches goes up.
Among them, many of the catches might of a spectacular nature as well and over the years, plenty of breathtaking catches have been taken in the longest format of the game. Here is a look at 5 of the best catches that have ever been taken in Test cricket.
5 Andrew Strauss v Australia, Ashes 2005, Nottingham
Former England opening batsman and captain Andrew Strauss, is not particularly known for being a brilliant fielder but at the Ashes in 2005, he pulled off a catch that will forever find mention in any 'greatest catches' conversation.
In the pivotal fourth Test of the series, Australia had been reduced to 99-5 when Adam Gilchrist came in - and if there was one batsman who could turn the game with a quickfire innings, it was him.
However, just when Gilchrist was about to get going and taken Australia to 163-7, Strauss took the catch that turned the game. Andrew Flintoff, bowling from around the wicket, angled one in at Gilchrist and the batsman got a thick edge that was flying past Strauss at second slip.
However, Strauss was not going to let it go and he flew to his left full length, to pull off the catch with his left hand. His whole body was in the air when he took the catch.