Steve Smith has been on fire in the field for Australia, producing three of the best catches you will ever see.
On top of that, the Australian great has broken the world record for the most catches in Test cricket history.
The Australian great has now moved past England’s Joe Root to stand alone at the top of the list, but it was his latest catch that had his teammates, the commentators and the cricket world buzzing.
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Anticipating a reverse sweep from South Africa’s Kyle Verreynne, Smith read the play perfectly before pulling off an incredible one-handed catch to dismiss the wicketkeeper for 13.
And the commentary team couldn’t believe what they had just seen.
“This is ridiculous!” Pommie Mbangwa said on commentary.
“That is out of this world!”
Mark Howard was just as stunned.
“That is from another planet!”
Steve Smith stunned the cricket world with an incredible one-handed catch to dismiss Kyle Verreynne.Source: FOX SPORTS
It even had Smith’s own teammates in awe, with Marnus Labuschagne losing it as he screamed “Oh my god, Smudge!” while Smith ran off celebrating the incredible catch.
Smith has now moved to 222 catches in his Test career, having equalled and then moved past Root earlier in the innings.
Root has taken 220 catches across 169 Tests, but Smith now stands alone at the top of the list.
And plenty were quick to weigh in on the ridiculous moment.
Victorian Sheffield Shield commentator Adam White was in awe of Smith’s anticipation and ability to create something out of nothing.
“The best wicket keepers create unlikely chances with their quick thinking and anticipation,” White wrote on X.
“Steve Smith’s proving the same sort of attributes apply for slips fielding. Traditional slips or, particularly, at leg slip.”
NewsWire’s Scott Bailey was also left stunned, adding simply: “My word.”
But it wasn’t the first time Smith had produced something special in the field during the innings.
Earlier, he pulled off two incredible catches to dismiss David Bedingham and South African captain Temba Bavuma.
His catch to dismiss Bavuma once again showed off his anticipation, reading the batter before moving early to take the catch.
And against Bedingham, Smith dived in front of Matt Renshaw to complete another brilliant grab, taking him past Root’s record.
He was already one of Australia’s greatest ever fielders, but Smith is continuing to produce moments that are turning this Test match on its head.