McCullum's riposte and ten Doeschate's stunner
Plays of the day from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings in Kolkata
Alagappan Muthu
30-Apr-2015
From 0 for 1 to 6 for 1, Brendon McCullum riposte to a first-ball wicket • BCCI
The catch
It was a warm-up delivery, not quite the worst for the first one of a match from Pat Cummins. A decent length to pull the batsman forward but with ample width to throw the arms at. Dwayne Smith obliged on both counts and the slap was meant to slice through the point region, but Ryan ten Doeschate leapt to his left and flung both hands above his head to snatch a stunner.
It was a warm-up delivery, not quite the worst for the first one of a match from Pat Cummins. A decent length to pull the batsman forward but with ample width to throw the arms at. Dwayne Smith obliged on both counts and the slap was meant to slice through the point region, but Ryan ten Doeschate leapt to his left and flung both hands above his head to snatch a stunner.
The catch that wasn't
If it ain't broke don't fix it. So Cummins bowled the same delivery - wide and on a length - only Brendon McCullum waded forward, cocked his wrists and unleashed with breathtaking force. This time the ball traveled a far more impressive parabola and the only person interested in catching it was one of the ball boys. He tracked it quite well and clung on without any fuss, especially considering how hard McCullum hits them.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. So Cummins bowled the same delivery - wide and on a length - only Brendon McCullum waded forward, cocked his wrists and unleashed with breathtaking force. This time the ball traveled a far more impressive parabola and the only person interested in catching it was one of the ball boys. He tracked it quite well and clung on without any fuss, especially considering how hard McCullum hits them.
The catchers
Your premier spinner has struck twice in a row. Chennai Super Kings are four down, and MS Dhoni is the batsman coming in. Gautam Gambhir saw a whole lot of red and armed Brad Hogg with a slip, silly point, short leg and leg slip. And Hogg led them all in an emphatic appeal after rapping the Super Kings captain on the pads first ball. It was sliding down leg, but five pairs of outstretched hands crowded the batsman and put pressure on the umpire.
Your premier spinner has struck twice in a row. Chennai Super Kings are four down, and MS Dhoni is the batsman coming in. Gautam Gambhir saw a whole lot of red and armed Brad Hogg with a slip, silly point, short leg and leg slip. And Hogg led them all in an emphatic appeal after rapping the Super Kings captain on the pads first ball. It was sliding down leg, but five pairs of outstretched hands crowded the batsman and put pressure on the umpire.
The catch that slipped away
Skiers offer a fielder a bit too much time. Enough for too many thoughts to muddle your head. Dwayne Bravo swiped at a bouncer from Cummins and Gambhir had to decide whether he was going to back-peddle or turn around and chase it at full tilt. He ended up doing a bit of both, before finally decided to run backwards but it seemed those few moments of indecision cost him. Despite a dive, the ball eluded the Knight Riders captain.
Skiers offer a fielder a bit too much time. Enough for too many thoughts to muddle your head. Dwayne Bravo swiped at a bouncer from Cummins and Gambhir had to decide whether he was going to back-peddle or turn around and chase it at full tilt. He ended up doing a bit of both, before finally decided to run backwards but it seemed those few moments of indecision cost him. Despite a dive, the ball eluded the Knight Riders captain.
The catch that shouldn't have been
Pawan Negi, playing his first match of the season, offered the longest of long hops. Manish Pandey could have turned around, told MS Dhoni where he was going to put it away before proceeding to do so. The pull was struck hard, flat and followed a perfect beeline to deep midwicket much to Pandey's agony.
Pawan Negi, playing his first match of the season, offered the longest of long hops. Manish Pandey could have turned around, told MS Dhoni where he was going to put it away before proceeding to do so. The pull was struck hard, flat and followed a perfect beeline to deep midwicket much to Pandey's agony.
Alagappan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo