County Championship 2023

Watch: Ben Foakes plucks extraordinary one-handed reflex catch off rebound at second slip

by Wisden Staff September 20, 2023 - 11:25am 2 minute read

Watch: Ben Foakes combined with Jamie Overton to take an astonishing catch at The Oval in the County Championship today (September 20), showing lightning-fast reactions to scoop up a rebound low to the ground off the slip fielder.

Surrey are hosting Northants in the penultimate round of the Championship, and had reduced them to 151-6 before Karun Nair and Justin Broad came together. They put on 42 runs together before Broad edged Tom Lawes behind.

The ball headed towards first slip but looked to be dying before it would reach the fielder. At second slip, Overton dived low to the ground with his left arm outstretched in an attempt to parry the ball up before it hit the grass. He managed to just get his hand underneath it before it bounced, but was unable to get much elevation on the ball.

Foakes sprang into action, having been watching the event unfold without moving to this point. The ball came off Overton’s hand towards him very low to the ground, and he reacted within a split second to scoop the ball up before it touched the turf.

It’s another special catch this season for Foakes, who’s work behind the stumps is well recognised as one of the best in the game. Surrey are looking to win their second consecutive Division One title at The Oval this week, but are facing strong resistance from Northants. At the time of writing, Nair remains unbeaten on 78 while Tom Taylor is providing him with enough support from the other end. With rain forecast for later in the match, a strong recovery from Northants could be devastating to their chances of wrapping up the title with a match to spare.