13 January 2024 , 10:57
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Fans at the Basin Reserve ground in New Zealand witnessed a catch that is being hailed as perhaps the greatest ever.
Wellington Firebirds were taking on the Central Stags in the Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic T20 competition. With the Stags on 36-0, as they attempted to chase down 148, Will Young produced a lofted straight drive that looked destined for the boundary. Troy Johnson sprinted back from mid-on and managed to take the catch.
His speed and momentum though looked destined to carry him over the rope, rendering the catch irrelevant. But he had the insight to throw it on the turn with captain Nick Kelly backing up to complete a sensational passage of play.
Johnson was so close to the boundary that the TV umpire Derek Walker had to review the catch, but the wicket stood. The Stags weren't derailed by the brilliance though and pressed on to reach their total with 3.1 overs to spare.
The catch has begun doing the rounds on social media with one account suggesting: "That may be the greatest catch of all time". Another added: "Recency bias possibly, but this might be the new best boundary catch ever seen."
Despite the loss, Wellington are still placed at the top spot of the Super Smash 2023-24 points table and have won five matches out of eight. Central Districts are also not far enough as they are placed in the third spot.
The T20 blast saw a piece of fielding last summer that is regarded as potentially the greatest catch in the competition's history. Sussex's Brad Currie produced a superman catch to dismiss Hampshire's Benny Howell.
The Sussex star said: "It was purely an act of instinct and I had no idea how to react."