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There have been a few spectacular crowd catches over the decades but on Day 3 of first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka witnessed one of the best. The spectator at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, not only covered a lot of ground but managed to take a one-handed stunner like a professional cricketer.
The incident took place in the 107th over of New Zealand's first innings. Tailender Neil Wagner was playing a useful cameo to help his side take a lead. Against Kasun Rajitha, Wagner smashed the ball over wide long-on boundary for a maximum. The ball was going deep into the crowd when a spectator sprinted towards his right and took a one-handed catch. He did not just entertain the crowd but saved a couple who could have been hurt by Wagner's shot.
New Zealand's official cricket account tweeted out the video with caption, "A new entry into the Crowd Catch Hall of Fame".
The spectator celebrated the catch and then went back to his friends. The camera panned towards him as his friends continued to cheer him on for showing exemplary levels of athleticism.
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Wagner hit as many as three sixes in his 24-ball 27 to help New Zealand take an 18-run lead. Earlier, Daryl Mitchell added 62 runs to his overnight score and scored 102 to help the hosts recover. Matt Henry batted with ODI-like strike rate. Henry scored 72 runs from 75 deliveries including 10 fours and three sixes. Henry shared a 69-run partnership for the ninth wicket with skipper Tim Southee who scored 20-ball 25.
New Zealand managed to post 373 in the first innings. Later, Blair Tickner got rid of Sri Lanka top-order to reduce them for 83/3 at the end of Day 3's play.
“It's always nice to get a hundred for your country and to do it in a situation in which we needed it was cool,” Mitchell said after his fifth Test century helped New Zealand make a comeback in the game. “It was nice to put a team score on the board and for the boys to bowl the way they did tonight was awesome.”
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Watch | Best crowd catch ever? Spectator sprints and takes a one-handed stunner during NZ vs SL 1st Test
