SK Play Of The Day: Steven Smith takes absolute blinder at backward point
Backward point, ah, a beautiful fielding position. A perfect view for the fielder, just behind square, you can see the bowler running in, a good view of the crowd, but also, a perfect view of the batsman.
You can see the batsman gear up for the delivery, getting in position to launch himself into the shot, and thus, you can anticipate the direction of the ball. You are also directly in the firing line when you stand in that position as anything short is going to be smashed towards your direction at a rapid pace.
It a position of extreme importance, especially in the limited overs format and thus you see some of the best fielders in the world positioned there. Jonty Rhodes immortalized that position and Yuvraj Singh was equally impressive for India.
You wouldn’t really put Steven Smith in that same bracket and that is exactly why what transpired at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the 1st Chappell-Hadlee ODI is all that more special.
It was a moment made in time, it was meant to be.
Watch Steven Smith’ s moment of inspiration as his catch dismisses Watling
Steven Smith came into the match as one of the highest run-getters in 2016, but he had faced more turbulent times recently. First, with his sudden departure from Sri Lanka that irked a number of cricket fans and experts around the world, and second, the shame of losing a home series against South Africa.
In Sydney, his home ground, it was more than just another ODI for him
It was evident from the time he stepped onto the crease.
He came into bat in the very first over with his side having lost David Warner early, and was at the non-striker's end as they lost 4 wickets with less than a 100 runs on the board. He had to do something special, and he did, bringing up his highest score in one-day internationals, a mighty 164 to take his team to 324.
Extra cover: Watch Smith attempting a ‘MS Dhoni style’ helicopter
It was an innings of immense character. He dug in initially, choosing his shots, before cutting and pulling mercilessly and upping the ante after he got to the three-figure mark.
He had made his moment count, his moment of vindication after a few tough months, the highest score ever in the SCG, a hefty total to defend.
But he was not done
The Kiwi batsman were going along very well in their chase of the target, scoring runs at a regular rate despite losing a couple of wickets. With Martin Guptill going well at one end, it only required another batsman to stick in and provide him with support.
BJ Watling, the side’s vice-captain simply had to be that man.
The Aussies were sniffing blood as they had just dismissed Jimmy Neesham after a well-constructed 30. Watling was yet to settle in.
Mitchell Marsh came in to bowl the 25th over, at the midway stage of the game, and bowled a short, juicy delivery to Watling. It was just the type of delivery someone wants at the beginning of the innings. Something to free your arms into, to break the shackles.
Watling launched into the shot, cutting ferociously towards backward point. It had four written all over it. No-one could have imagined what would transpire next.
Steven Smith, surely tired after all of 164 runs and 25 overs in the field, flung himself towards the ball with one hand, his left hand, he was horizontal at one stage as he just about got his fingertips to the ball. The reaction time flashed up on the screen - .686 of a second. He miraculously held onto the ball.
He was completely outstretched at the point of contact with the ball, every limb stretched to the maximum. He would land flat on his face after he took the catch, but that would not matter as his teammates had come running in to congratulate him on the incredible catch.
He stood up, dusted himself down and took in the ovation of the Sydney crowd.
He had delighted them with the bat, but this was a catch that might be remembered for a longer time.
He might try it a 100 more times in training, but he will never pull it off again. There was a magnetic force that pulled his left hand towards the ball, it was meant to be.
On his home ground, as captain of the Australian cricket team, Steven Smith absolutely owned the occasion.