Herschelle Gibbs had a light-hearted response to Ben Stokes’ dropped catch on day five of the Ashes Test at the Kia Oval, which was a replica of his own mistake in the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
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Stokes’ error came at a crucial point in the final Test. Australia had recovered from losing three quick wickets early in the morning session, to closing in on their fourth innings target. Steve Smith had reached 39 not out in the final over before Lunch when he gloved a ball from Moeen Ali up to Stokes at leg-slip. Stokes leapt in the air to take the catch one-handed but the ball popped out of his hand as he brought it down behind him in anticipation of throwing the ball up in the air to celebrate the wicket.
Although England used a review trying to overturn the not-out on-field decision, the third umpire ruled that Stokes didn’t have full control of his movement at the point the ball was released, and therefore upheld the decision.
The incident sparked memories of Gibbs’ infamous drop off Steve Waugh almost 25 years ago. After England posted a video clip of the Stokes catch on their Instagram account, Gibbs commented underneath it: “Seen this somewhere before.”
In 1999, South Africa were playing Australia in the final game of the Super Six of the Cricket World Cup at Headingley. Steve Waugh came in with Australia 43-3 in pursuit of 271. He nearly continued Australia’s collapse by clipping a simple chance to Gibbs at mid-wicket.
However, despite taking the catch seemingly cleanly, Gibbs spilled it as he attempted to throw the ball into the air. Legend has followed that Steve Waugh said upon seeing Gibbs drop the chance: “How does it feel to drop the World Cup Herschelle?”
Although Waugh has since denied making the comment, he did go on to make a magnificent century and ensure South Africa lost the game. Australia went on to win the World Cup in the final at Lord’s, having beaten South Africa again in the semi-final.