Moments of magic are often a result of creative thinking and unwavering endeavours. If such was the case, New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay should be hailed for the scintillating balloting catch he grabbed in the third T20I between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Saxton Oval, Nelson.
After being two-nil up in the three-match T20I series, New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first. While Pathum Nissankan and Kusal Mendis got off to a steady start against the new ball, Matt Henry continued his good form with the ball and broke the building partnership, courtesy of a tremendous relay catch from Hay.
The fifth ball of the third over saw Henry come over the wicket and bowl a seaming-in hard length delivery into Nissanka, who looked to pull. However, the right-handed batter failed to come into a good position to execute the stroke and incurred a top-edge behind the keeper. With the ball swirling high and away, Hay sprinted a long way back, chasing the kookaburra before grasping the ball at the edge of the boundary ropes. However, the gloveman had to jab the ball up to control his body momentum as Hay stepped out of the ropes and returned to grasp the ball firmly and complete a ‘never seen before’ wicket, leaving the Twitterverse awed.
Matt Henry 🤝 Mitch Hay. Run out of runway! @BLACKCAPS secured the three matches T20 international men’s cricket by 2 – 1. Another milestone in @BLACKCAPS cricket. @OfficialSLC hard luck but fought well. See ya at upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/UEaxISYKhm
— Abhishek Kumar Bose (@AbhishekKu61) January 3, 2025
Its amazing to see this kind of catch taken by the wicketkeeper!
And its the first international wicket of 2025, courtesy Mitchell Hay. pic.twitter.com/eeT7xc3qa2— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) January 3, 2025
Never ever
Hosts win
Sl vs Nz 3rd T20i: Kusal Perera’s maiden T20I century helped Sri Lanka register their first T20I win in New Zealand since 2006, a consolation in the three-match T20I series, which the hosts won 2-1. pic.twitter.com/tVzYOfm82F
— Vinod Bro (@VinodBro13648) January 3, 2025
For fuck sake. He is a burden himself on the team.
Lost ODI series in Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka
Lost Test series in India against New Zealand
Going to lose Test Series in Australia against Australia
Going to get sacked soon. https://t.co/AdzG887oov— NDS (@_NDS15) January 3, 2025
Get ready
After Sri Lanka and New Zealand, get ready for another new shameful record under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching.
The team that looked unbeatable 6 months ago has suddenly become second rate.
T20 style coaching doesn’t work in Tests, Bhai Saab.#INDvsAUS https://t.co/B6eA6kB0Tw— Rohit Raj (@Rohitraj8480Raj) January 3, 2025
India
India is lucky not to qualify for WTC after the battering by Sri Lanka, New Zealand at home & now by the Auatralians. Rohit & Virat are the culprits & the big mouthed Gambhir.
— Hiranmay Ray (@RayHiranmay) January 3, 2025
India and Australia have a few key players over the age of 30, whilst Bazball has properly been exposed.
There could be an opportunity in the next couple of years for a team like New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or South Africa to go to number 1 in the test rankings.— Scrumming Flyhalf (@scrumming_ten) January 3, 2025
Fantastic
Tendulkar had an interesting collection of final away series during 2009-12 in respective places:
Australia: 287 @ 35.87
South Africa: 326 @ 81.50
England: 273 @ 34.12
Sri Lanka: 390 @ 78
New Zealand: 344 @ 68.80— KASHISH (@crickashish217) January 3, 2025
Constant
It wasn’t constant criticism after every home series in Pakistan alone, it was constant criticism by every touring team against every home nation umpires…. England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, India, New Zealand, Australia you name it…
— Shah Faisal 🇵🇰 (@shahfaisalcric1) January 2, 2025
