Watch: Auckland first-class cricketer William O’Donnell took an incredible diving catch after anticipating a paddle sweep from first slip during his team’s Plunket Shield match against Otago.

Auckland Aces and Otago Volts are currently playing the four-day match in Auckland, one of the opening day fixtures of the 2022/23 first-class season. Otago, batting first, had moved to 152-3, with No.4 Dale Phillips stitching together a 97-run stand with Thorn Parks. The partnership was broken by 25-year-old O’Donnell’s brilliant effort in the 44th over of the innings.

Off the third ball of off-spinner Will Somerville, Phillips tried to squeeze out the gap between the wicketkeeper and short leg. He got into a position to play the paddle sweep as soon as the ball left Sommerville’s hand. Wicketkeeper Ben Horne tried to cover the angle and stop the ball, but could not get his left hand to it.

However, O’Donnell anticipated the stroke as well, and darted from his position towards the leg side. The fact that he managed to swiftly switch positions was incredible, but what followed was even more remarkable. With the ball almost behind him, he leapt to his left and completed a stunning one-handed take, diving full stretch to effect the dismissal.

Watch O’Donnell’s diving catch here:

 

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