Watch: Matthew Critchley stuns with 'flying' catch vs Sydney Thunders in BBL 12

BBL 12, SYT vs MLR, Watch: Matthew Critchley stuns with 'flying' catch vs Sydney Thunders in BBL 12 (Image Source: Twitter)

The Big Bash League 2022/23 (BBL 12) is ongoing and the fans are awaiting the summit clash to find out the winner of the highly competitive tournament. On January 19, Thursday, Sydney Thunders competed against Melbourne Renegades and it was the Thunders who came out on top chasing a target of 143 with 8 wickets to spare post being forced to bowl first. 

One of the takeaways from the game was the 9th over in the second innings from Corey Rocchiccioli, who rattled the Thunders for a moment with back-to-back wickets. However, the second wicket in the second ball of the over turned out to be the most eye-catching one of all with Matthew Critchley pulling off a stunning catch at the midwicket. 

To add more to the catch, it was a full-length delivery from the spinner and the Thunders batter Oliver Davies tried to flick it towards the mid-wicket. However, in a whisket of a second, Critchley jumped to his right and caught the ball, flying in the air. The contest came to a pause for a moment and fans realised that it was actually a stupendous catch from the Renegades star.

Here is the stunning catch from Matthew Critchley: 

Catch! Matthew Critchley soars at midwicket!

Corey Rocchiccioli has rocked the Thunder! #GoldenMoment @BKTtires | #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/BfJKcfpuGn

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2023

Always nice to have a bit of luck: Matthew Gikes

After restricting the Aaron Finch-led Renegades batters to a meagre total, Matthew Gikes, the wicketkeeper from the Chris Green-led team, scored a valiant 55-ball 74 and ensured that the team reached the target. With the win, the Thunders made it to fourth place in the points table with 6 wins to their name from the 12 matches that they have played in the competition so far. 

“Always nice to have a bit of luck. A sigh of relief after that dropped catch. (On Warner) To watch him play on TV for so long, and to do it out there is unbelievable. He’s so good to bat with, talks you through the innings. (On today’s innings) I had to play tactically, it was tough out there,” Gikes was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation after bagging the Player of the Match award. 

“It was all about not taking too many risks and taking it deep. This was a must win, happy to take it to the next game. Love playing here, and have played a lot of grade cricket out here. Always lovely to come down to Manuka, especially with the sold out crowds,” he added.