Watch: In a brilliant bit of athleticism, New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay stepped over the boundary to take a catch to dismiss Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka during the third T20I between the two sides yesterday (January 2).
After scoring two runs off the first two balls in the third over, Nissanka hit Matt Henry for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries, both off pull shots.
The Sri Lanka opener again attempted a pull shot but got a thick top edge. The ball soared high in the sky and was sailing over the keeper. But Hay backtracked, immediately going after the ball before pouching it close to the fence. However, the momentum took him over the boundary line and he had to pop the ball in the air to step back in play to complete the catch.
Though these kinds of catches are pretty common for a regular outfielder it is a rare sight for a wicketkeeper.
Nissanka departed for a 12-ball 14. Thereafter, it was Kusal Perera’s 46-ball 101 which stole the show. The southpaw became only the third Sri Lankan to slam international hundreds in all three formats. Perera’s hundred is also Sri Lanka’s first in 14 years. Sri Lanka racked up 218-5.
In response, New Zealand put up a spirited chase spearheaded by Rachin Ravindra’s 69 off 39 but faltered in the end to lose by seven runs. As a result, they lost the opportunity for a clean sweep, settling for a 2-1 win.
Watch Mitchell Hay take a sensational catch
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