John Simpson is renowned as one of the best wicketkeepers on the county circuit, and playing his second game for England, he showed exactly why, conjuring a special leg-side catch off the bowling of Matt Parkinson.

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Given England’s wicketkeeping depth and that he is 32 years old, Simpson must have considered his chance of an international call-up gone. However, with Covid-19 wreaking havoc in the England camp, he earned a maiden place in a squad when an entirely new group was named for the ODIs against Pakistan, and made his debut in the first game of the series.

He claimed two catches on debut, but both were regulation, and for a gloveman of his calibre, dropping a catch off Parkinson will have been frustrating. However, having played his maiden innings in an England shirt earlier today, he showed exactly why he’s so highly rated behind the stumps, taking a brilliant anticipatory catch off the leg-spinner.

The chance came off the first ball of the 28th over. Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf shaped early to play a dab sweep down to fine leg, but Simpson spotted the premeditation and moved into position. Faheem connected well with the shot, getting a firm deflection, and might have expected it to speed off down to the fence.

Instead, Simpson was in the way, clinging on to the ball and celebrating. “What a catch, that is absolute genius from Simpson,” said Ian Ward on Sky Sports commentary. “Brilliant reading of the game.”

There were immediate comparisons to a catch taken by Sarah Taylor in an ODI against Australia, with the England Women’s wicketkeeper diving at full stretch to grab a reverse sweep nailed by Jodie Fields, though after both were shown, Ward conceded Taylor’s catch was the more impressive.

Still, this will be a treasured moment in a treasured week for Simpson, especially coming at his home ground of Lord’s, and reward for a career of hard graft.

Watch the genius Simpson catch below:

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