5 best catches taken by fast bowlers in the outfield

Ground fielding has become an integral part of cricket today, so much so that international teams have separate fielding coaches dedicated to master this difficult art. Fitness standards along with fielder-specific drills have become mandatory for any side, with the focus mainly on saving every run possible in the outfield.

As the saying goes, 'catches win matches' and a spectacular catch during a difficult period of play definitely lifts the sagging spirits of players tremendously.

On that note, let us take a look at some of the best catches taken by faster bowlers in the outfield. This list does not include caught and bowled wickets and also tag-team catches near the boundary line.

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#5 Kane Richardson

Kane Richardson has evolved into a dependable limited-overs bowler for Australia in recent times. Before making his debut for Australia, Richardson plied his trade for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

During BBL 02, he pulled off a blinder against the Hobart Hurricanes in a league game at the Blundstone Arena. Initially misjudging the flight of the ball, he made good ground before diving full length to pluck the ball out of thin air with his right hand. It was a special effort and remains one of the best catches in BBL history.

#4 Glenn Mcgrath

Glenn Mcgrath often had batsmen in splits, as his unwavering line and length coupled with awkward bounce made lives extremely difficult for the men wielding the bat. Nicknamed "Pigeon", Mcgrath still holds the record for the highest number of wickets taken by a pacer, accounting for 563 scalps throughout his career.

Not renowned for his fielding, Mcgrath still pulled off an astonishing catch near the boundary ropes during England's tour of Australia in the 2002/03 summer. Michael Vaughan was the batsman and he slogged one across the line off a Shane Warne delivery, only managing a top edge.

Mcgrath, who was stationed at deep square leg, ran a good 25 metres to his left, dived full length and caught the ball brilliantly. The ball actually rebounded off his left hand and somehow nestled into his right hand, as his teammates mobbed him. The reaction of Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne said it all.

#3 Trent Boult

Trent Boult has to be one of the fittest bowlers around the world. He throws his body around the field, saving crucial runs for his side in the process. An excellent fielder off his own bowling, Boult has taken many splendid catches throughout his career. But the catch that stands out is that of Ajinkya Rahane, during India's tour of New Zealand in 2014.

Rahane was on 118 when he skied a ball off Tim Southee's bowling towards the deep cover boundary. Boult came sprinting in, dived forward, and took a brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss a well-set Rahane. Being a natural left-hander, Boult put out his right hand and the ball stuck. It has to be one of the best catches ever taken in the outfield.

#2 James Kirtley

India's 2002 NatWest series triumph in England would be remembered for many reasons, with James Kirtley's moment of magic just one of them.

India were in pursuit of England's total of 271 during a league game, when Ganguly decided to loft Ashley Giles into the stands. However, he miscued the shot towards long off, with the ball dying on its way to Kirtley.

However, the Sussex seamer pulled off an astounding grab, as he dived full length and took the catch inches from the turf with his left hand. That catch has to be one of the best ever taken in the outfield, if not the best ever.

#1 Adam Dale

Adam Dale was a fairly successful medium-pacer who played for Queensland in the Australian domestic league. He represented Australia in two Tests and 30 ODIs and picked up 38 wickets overall.

However, the catch he took during the 1997/98 domestic season against New South Wales is still regarded as the best catch in cricket history. The unlucky batsman was Phil Emery who hit the ball uppishly towards long-on. Dale ran a good 20 metres across, flew to his right and was airborne while taking the catch one-handed.

That catch will always remain in the minds of cricket fans, as Dale defied gravity and produced a stupendous fielding effort.