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'Sorry how?': Cricket world in awe of 'outrageous' superman catch

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Mackenzie Harvey (pictured) diving to take a superman-like catch.
Mackenzie Harvey (pictured) took a superman-like catch in the Big Bash clash against the Sydney Thunder. (Image: Twitter)

Melbourne Renegades’ Mackenzie Harvey showed why Aussie ODI captain Aaron Finch regards him as the best fielder in the world after stunning superman-like catch, but another BBL umpiring mistake clouded the moment in controversy.

Sydney Thunder moved to the top of the Big Bash League ladder with a seven-run win in a rain-affected New Year's Day clash against the Melbourne Renegades on the Gold Coast.

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The Thunder claimed the victory by being seven runs clear of the par score of 110 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method when rain halted play at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.

With play unable to resume the Thunder claimed the win over the rock-bottom Renegades under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Former Test batsman Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 48 when play was halted, a vital innings which helped keep the Thunder ahead of the par score throughout their shortened chase.

But it was Harvey’s moment of brilliance, catching out in-form English opener Alex Hales, which had fans buzzing.

Hales whipped a shot to gully, but Harvey leapt to his left and was horizontal to the ground as he took what could be the catch of the tournament.

“I said it the other night, I think he [Harvey] is the best fielder in the world,” Finch said in an interview on Fox Sports.

However, many fans were quick to point out the catch shouldn’t have stood after it appeared bowler Mitchell Perry overstepped the mark.

Fans were both full of praise for Harvey, but critical again of the umpires.

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Hales's dismissal was the highlight of the Renegades' bowling effort, with the defeat keeping them rooted to the bottom of the ladder.

Renegades' captain Aaron Finch complained on Fox Sports as the teams left the field about the Metricon Stadium scoreboard showing incorrect par scores.

"Obviously not ideal for Finchy," coach Michael Klinger said.

"We knew on the boundary that we were behind, obviously we had the running sheet. For the captain on the field it'd be nice if they'd had it right but it was just (at the) last bit it started flashing a bit.

"At the end of the day it didn't change the result, wouldn't have changed what we did anyway in terms of who bowled and field placings, so it's not a big deal."

The Thunder's fifth win from six matches takes them above the Sydney Sixers, with their crosstown rivals playing Brisbane on Saturday at the Gabba.

Shaun Marsh of the Renegades bats during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Sydney Thunder at Metricon Stadium, on January 01, 2021, in Gold Coast, Australia.
Shaun Marsh of the Renegades bats during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Sydney Thunder at Metricon Stadium, on January 01, 2021, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

"We weren't thinking about rain at all," man-of-the-match Hales said.

"Just trying to get off to a good start is always going to be important and, yeah, tonight luckily it worked."

Earlier, a brilliant innings by former Test batsman Shaun Marsh lifted the Melbourne Renegades to 6-166 off their 17 overs after they were sent in by the Thunder.

Marsh belted 87 off 48 balls including five sixes to become the top run-scorer in the tournament so far with 233 to his name including three half-centuries.

The victory was the Thunder's second in a week against the Renegades, after belting them by 129 runs on Boxing Day.

with AAP