Watch: Ashleigh Gardner and Mignon du Preez set the field alight with two spectacular grabs during the Australia-South Africa clash in the 2022 Women’s World Cup on March 22.
The fielding standards in the ongoing Women’s World Cup have been nothing short of excellent, and the list of candidates for the ‘Catch of the Tournament’ had further additions with Gardner and du Preez grabbing stunners in the same game on Tuesday. Gardner first wowed audiences when she timed her jump to perfection to complete a one-handed screamer on the boundary rope to send back batter du Preez. The fifth ball of the 46th over of the South Africa innings saw du Preez run down the pitch as she tried to smack the ball for a six over deep mid-wicket. Just when it seemed that the ball would be out of her reach, Gardner leaped full length to her right and grabbed the catch with one hand. Du Preez, dismissed for a 13-ball 14, could only appreciate it with a smile.
The South African, however, was not one to be left behind, as she displayed her immaculate fielding skills as well in the second innings. The third ball of the 11th over by Chloe Tryon saw Racheal Haynes pull a half-tracker towards deep mid-wicket, where a stationed du Preez dived to her left and completed the catch with a tumble.
Australia continued their winning run in the edition as they chased down 272 without a sweat, with Meg Lanning scoring an unbeaten 135. South Africa registered their first loss of the competition.
Watch du Preez and Gardner’s catches here:
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
