West Indies v South Africa

Watch: Jason Holder takes one-handed, diving stunner in the slips against South Africa

by Wisden Staff June 21, 2021 - 6:26pm 2 minute read

Watch: Former West Indies captain Jason Holder claimed an excellent catch in the second Test against South Africa to continue a collapse as his side roared back into the contest.

Having won the first game of the series, the Proteas looked to be on their way to securing a whitewash, putting up 298 batting first and securing a first-innings lead of nearly 150.

However, West Indies battled back in the third innings, reducing their opponents to 73-7 to spur hopes of an unlikely comeback. The seventh wicket to fall was that of Keshav Maharaj, and while it was newcomer Jayden Seales who claimed the scalp, he had his bowling partner to thank in large part.

Maharaj went for a drive and managed to get a thick edge to the ball, with the false shot seemingly heading wide of the cordon. However, Holder unveiled his full wingspan to cling onto a stunner, diving low to his right and clutching the ball low to the ground. He then took off in wild celebration before being mobbed by his teammates. The official West Indies Cricket Twitter account even suggested it might be the best Test catch ever.

South Africa bounced back thereafter, avoiding the ignominy of being bowled out in double figures, with Rassie van der Dussen (75*) and Kagiso Rabada (40) putting on a crucial stand to take the target past 300. West Indies went to stumps 15-0, needing a further 309 runs to win.

For the Proteas, there is a little extra riding on the game, with victory seeing them bag an extra US$100,000 in World Test Championship prize money.